By Ma Ma - Dec 26, 2024
Delo Myanmar garment factory, despite being operational for just over two months, grants only two Sundays off per month and regularly requires overtime work. However, it fails to fully pay overtime wages, leaving amounts unpaid with promises to settle them later, causing difficulties for the workers, according to the workers themselves.
The factory, owned by Chinese nationals, is located on Min Aya Street, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Yangon Region.
With a workforce of over 200 employees, the factory operates without any trade union or WCC committee, workers said.
“Working hours are from 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM. Regular overtime is three hours daily, and occasionally, it extends until 8:30 PM. On Sundays, workers are also required to do overtime, and only two Sundays off are provided per month. Essentially, workers work overtime throughout the entire month whenever asked. However, when wages are disbursed, overtime pay is not fully settled. For example, workers are only paid for 60 hours, with the rest promised to be settled later if they completes 80 overtime hours in a month. The factory has only been operating for two months, but the lack of full overtime payment even though we work the entire month is causing us problems,” said a worker from the factory.
The factory pays a daily rate of 7,800 MMK, which includes a daily wage, an additional allowance, and factory support allowance. Overtime wages are calculated at 1,600 MMK per hour. Attendance bonus is 30,000 MMK, with skilled-level bonuses set at 40,000 MMK for grade A, 30,000 MMK for grade B, and 20,000 MMK for grade C. The factory also provides snack allowances of 1,000 MMK per day, amounting to 24,000 MMK per month.
However, workers who take a day off have their 30,000 MMK attendance bonus, 7,800 MMK daily allowance, and 24,000 MMK snack allowance deducted.
“The production targets demanded from workers exceed what can reasonably be achieved. Workers face pressure and scolding if they fail to meet the targets. There is no medical facility at the factory if workers feel unwell. Those who resign are not fully paid for their overtime. 30,000 MMK attendance bonus and 24,000 MMK snack allowance are deducted, along with the additional allowances if a worker does not complete the full month,” a worker explained.
The workers at the factory are calling for the full payment of overtime wages, reasonable production targets, an end to shouting and verbal abuse, deductions of only 10,000 MMK from regular wages for absences without deducting snack allowances, and the establishment of a medical clinic with a qualified doctor.
