Myo Thein
Workers said that Myanmar Sport garment factory has been forcing them to work by falsely claiming that official public holidays are not holidays. According to workers, the employer, HR manager, and all supervisors colluded to deceive workers by instructing them that officially designated public holidays were not factory holidays.
“The employer told the supervisors that December 26 was not a holiday. They also made workers come in on Sunday, December 21, as a substitute workday. If workers did not come in, they threatened to cut attendance bonuses. The area supervisors also told line leaders that December 27 had to be worked as a substitute for December 20, which was a Saturday,” said a responsible person from the Shwepyithar Township Garment Workers’ Organization.
However, according to the public holiday directive issued by the Department of Factories and General Labour Laws Inspection, December 25 through December 28 were officially designated public holidays.
Workers said this was not the first time Myanmar Sport garment factory had forced them to work through deception. They reported that similar practices had occurred during previous public holidays as well, and these complaints were raised with the Shwepyithar Township Garment Workers’ Organization.
Myanmar Sport Co., Ltd garment factory is located on Otthaphaya Road, Thadukan Industrial Zone, Shwepyithar Township, Yangon. According to workers, the factory manufacture garments the Japanese-based Burtle Co., Ltd brand, B aircraft.
