By Min Ni Kyaw Oct 23, 2023
The workers told Myanmar Labor News that TOP CLASS garment factory which manufactures FieldCore brand jeans is forcing them to work overtime until 9:00 p.m., continuously and their legal rights are being violated.
"We have to work overtime non-stop. There was no survey about the consent of whether or not want to work overtime. There is no advance notice. They used to ask the overtime when we are about to go back, saying it is mandatory,” the workers said.
In addition, the workers of the TOP CLASS garment factory said that supervisors inside the factory discriminated against subordinate workers and hold grudges if they do not work overtime so that they have to work overtime even though they are not living well.
In the instructions of the Ministry of Labor, for the process of calling overtime, it is stated that the consent of the workers must be requested and submitted to the township labor office in advance.
The workers of the TOP CLASS Garment Factory also want to be inquired about their consents to work overtime and not to discriminate the workers who cannot work overtime for any reason.
In addition, the workers said that the factory officials unfairly asked for the fabric standard (Hourly) and if they did not meet the requested standard, some of the line supers made slanderous remarks. "The record demand is 65 jeans pants per point per worker. 26 for the jackets. If someone couldn't get it, he or she would be sworn by pointing fingers in front of the workplace. At least they swear to be heard by others and get embarrasses. The victims are so ashamed that they can't even raise their heads. If this happens, it is not convenient to work. The work would be done too, if they speak kindly. Swearing is rude, we want to ask them not to swear or scream. So, that more jobs would be done faster," the workers said.
A worker told Myanmar Labor News that the TOP CLASS garment factory is forcing them to recruit helpers as day laborers, and some day laborers are not appointed as confirmed employees until they have worked for more than 4 months.
"Day laborers are suffering as they do not become permanent ones. They don't get the same amount of day offs as others. They can’t contribute in social security tax. There is no protection for them for work place accident. If the factory closes, they will be left empty-handed. Workers in the same factory with same working hours and not getting the same wages. During the trial period, the day laborers had to endure. So, we have sympathy for them. We appeal to appoint them as permanent ones,” a worker said.
The workers say that there is no fairness in classifying the professional fee in the TOP CLASS garment factory.
"Workers are divided into professional pay levels. There is no fairness in dividing like that. A worker who can really sew do not achieve height grades. But the workers who are close to supervisors do get a good grade. In order to be fair, it is necessary to show transparently why which worker gets high grade. If there is discrimination and bias, it will be like dividing the workers. So, we don't want to be divided as A, B, C and D level," the workers said.
The workers continued to say that TOP CLASS Garment Officials did not allow them the leave that workers are entitled to under the law.
In the current Myanmar labor law, 6 days of casual leave, 10 days of seniority leave and medical certificate leave are stipulated for workers.
"If we don't give leave permission, it's labeled as absent. 5600 kyats daily wages and 10,000 kyats for the absent the first 15 days of the month; a total of 15,600 kyats are cut for a single absent. We are asking for our right. We are labeled as absent and cut of as they don’t allow leave. If these are allowed according to the law, we will not have to suffer. Now it looks like the factory made sure to be absent. That's why we are asking for legal rights," the workers said.
The workers can use toilet only if the officials will allow them to go with the card issued by the factory
So that the workers said that they are often faced with bad health conditions because they do not have access to the toilet easily.
The workers have said that the TOP CLASS garment factory is owned by a Chinese national and located in Depayin Ministor U Mye Street, Hlaing Thar Yar Industrial Zone 3, Yangon and operating with more than 2,000 workers.
