By Yoon Sat - Dec 31, 2024
Workers from Myanmar Huasheng Kefu Fashion Factory, located on Mya Khatter Road in Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon Region, are facing difficulties due to excessive production demands, lack of formal employment contracts for daily wage workers after three months, child labor, unsanitary drinking water, inadequate medical supplies, verbal abuse, and threats. Moreover, workers are being dismissed if they refuse to work overtime, according to factory workers.
The factory, owned by a Chinese national, employs over 450 workers and mainly produces jackets for the "Sinsay" brand. It has been reported that there is no trade union in the workplace.
“The employer dismisses the workers if they refuse to work overtime, saying they can fire anyone they want without consequences. Workers are being forced to work overtime, and they are immediately dismissed if they refuse due to exhaustion or illness,” said a worker from the factory.
Daily wage workers who have been working for more than three months are still not given permanent employment status. Furthermore, around 50 young workers between the ages of 14 and 16 are employed without medical certificates, performing the same tasks as adult workers. Due to their lack of experience, when they make mistakes, they are subjected to extreme pressure and are often brought to tears, according to a worker.
Additionally, workers are denied leave. If they miss even a single day of work, they face a deduction of 80,000 kyats, including daily wages and bonuses, causing significant financial hardship.
“The drinking water provided at the factory smells of rust and is dirty, making it impossible to drink. Despite the management being aware of this, they have not taken any action. There are no medicines available, and the nurse is rarely present although there is a medical clinic. The production targets are unrealistic, with each line consisting of around 35 workers being required to produce 70 pairs of trousers per hour. When targets are not met, the Chinese supervisor personally walks around demanding the garments and shouts at workers in broken Burmese,” said another worker.
Workers report that they are required to do overtime daily from 8 PM to 9 PM, and on Saturdays until 8 PM. Additionally, they are forced to work on Sundays without a break. Refusal to work overtime results in immediate dismissal, leaving workers with no job security.
The workers have issued six main demands:
- The employer must grant workers their legally entitled leave.
- The employer must stop verbal abuse by Chinese supervisors when demanding production targets.
- The employer must set achievable production targets based on the workers' capacity.
- The employer must grant permanent employment status to daily wage workers who have been employed for more than three months.
- The employer must stop dismissing workers for refusing overtime and respect their right to decline.
- The employer must ensure the availability of a functioning medical clinic and basic medicines for the workers.
