By Yoon Sat - Nov 09, 2024

Workers from CHARIS COMPANY LIMITED, a sculpture manufacturing factory located on Mya Sabal Street Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon Region, have reported that they suffered job termination after protesting to demand action regarding physical against female workers.

“On October 21, we were informed that their wages would be delayed until the 31st. Despite repeated requests, the management kept postponing the payment. In response, we stated that we would refuse to work overtime if the pay wasn’t provided and waited outside the factory. During this time, a Chinese supervisor reportedly followed and physically harassed me, pushing me from behind. Another female worker was also pushed near the factory fence, causing her to fall. The next day, both of us were forced to sign a warning. Workplace Coordination Committees (WCC) defended against us, but the factory management retaliated by cutting their overtime work,” said a victim worker.

The affected workers later alleged that Mr. Wang Xiao Jun, a Chinese national and director of the factory, was responsible for the physical harassment incidents against female employees. On November 6, a group of workers gathered to demand action against him, presenting a petition with 17 demands, including the dismissal of the individual accused of harassment.

However, on November 7, the day following their petition, the factory management issued an official notice dated November 7, 2024, announcing the termination of the workers involved in the protest, including those from the WCC who supported the victims.

The factory’s announcement stated that the terminated employees had organized unauthorized gatherings, abandoned their designated workstations, and led protests that disrupted the production operations, resulting in financial loss to the company. Consequently, four employees were dismissed.

Following this development, the dismissed workers have requested assistance from the Federation of General Workers Myanmar (FGWM) to address their grievances and bring the issue to public attention, calling for swift intervention from relevant authorities and brands associated with the factory.

This is not the first time CHARIS COMPANY LIMITED has faced worker grievances. On July 5, 2024, workers had previously protest for demands, which were documented in a collective agreement between the employer and employees.

In addition, the workers allege that the factory management has since failed to adhere to the agreed terms and has continued to violate workers' rights, including instances of abuse and coercion towards female employees by foreign supervisors, as reported by FGWM.