By Citizen Journalists - Nov 05, 2024
A worker from Myanmar Journay bag factory reported that the factory confiscated their mobile phones after they filed complaints regarding excessive overtime.
The factory continued to call overtimes despite the complaints, workers said.
“They keep calling us for overtime. They took our phones and told us we can't use them during breaks. The manager said they wouldn’t return our phones until we stop reporting the overtime issue. She said they’re worry we might file complaints if we have our phones,” a worker said.
Phones were confiscated starting in October, and phone usage during break times is also restricted.
In October, workers were called overtime until 8:00 p.m. on weekdays and until 6:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Even on Sunday, November 3, workers said that they were forced to work overtime until 6:30 p.m.
Those who left at 4:30 p.m. on that Sunday without completing the overtime were threatened by the manager.
"They called for overtime on Sunday. Most workers don’t want to work but they were forced to. when we said would leave at 4:30 p.m., as we can’t work until 6:30 p.m., the manager told us, ‘Don’t come the next day if you can’t work until then,’ Some workers were pressured to dismissed, and others were intimidated to not allowed any overtime anymore," a worker said.
A 2022 directive from the Factory and Labour Law Inspection Department stated that overtime cannot exceed 20 hours per week and that advance permission must be obtained for such work. Additionally, the directive mandates that workers’ consent be obtained with signed agreements for overtime work.
“They took our phones so how can we contact our families in case of emergencies? They fear we’ll report them for forced overtime. Complaining to the officers doesn’t help. The factory still calls overtime without permits. The manager pressures and threatens the employees. Confiscating our phones is a violation of human rights,” a factory worker added.
The Myanmar Journay bag factory, owned by a Chinese national and is located in No 2 Road, Watayar Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon. The factory employs over 300 workers and manufactures Solo brands bag.
