By Ma Ma - Dec 31, 2024
Despite a significant reduction in the number of workers at SHUANGXI Myanmar Garment Co., Ltd., the factory has increased production targets, placing greater pressure on the remaining employees, according to factory workers.
The factory, owned by a Chinese national, is located on Makhaya Min Thar Gyi Maung Pyo Road, Industrial Zone (2), Hlaing Thar Yar Township. It currently employs over 400 workers and operates without a trade union.
The factory manufacture brands such as SPLENDID SATISFACTION and HanTen, and workers report ongoing labor rights violations. They also claim that inspections by the labor department are merely superficial and ineffective.
“Each production line had over 40 workers previously, and the target was around 20 pieces per hour. Now, with only about 20 workers on each line, they are demanding more than 30 pieces per hour. We can’t meet their demands since there is a big gap in manpower, and the supervisors yell at us and put us under intense pressure,” said a factory worker.
Workers receive a combined daily wage, including subsidies and bonuses, of 8,000 kyats, a regular attendance bonus of 40,000 kyats, and a skill allowance currently.
However, workers are not granted legally mandated leave and all of their allowances are proportionately deducted, resulting in significant financial losses if they miss a day of work.
“The factory actually closed on the 29th although they initially announced a holiday from December 28 to January 1. The employer refused and insisted that we work only on the days they set when we offered to compensate for the missed working day by coming in on January 11. Additionally, since the former union leader is now a supervisor, we are forced to work because he leads by example, saying his line will work when they call for overtime. So, we have no choice but to follow. They say the orders are urgent, and they call us for overtime until 7:30 PM. Depart of Labour just check briefly and leave after the employer pays them off,” said another worker.
The workers are demanding the right to legally mandated leave, realistic production targets that workers can meet, an end to yelling and pressure from supervisors regarding production targets, proper and effective inspections by labor department officials, with accountability for ensuring labor rights are respected.
