By Ma Ma - Nov 20, 2024
Workers at the Real Star factory, owned by a South Korean national, have reported that the Ministry of Labour conducted inspections regarding labor rights violations but cooperated with the employer to conduct superficial checks.
Reports of the factory paying below the legally mandated minimum wage and cutting overtime pay surfaced, prompting inspections.
“When the inspections happened, the employer selected specific workers to respond. These workers were trained to answer as instructed. They didn’t let experienced workers speak and only asked newer, uninformed workers to answer questions. The inspectors only checked what the employer presented. It felt like the ministry and employer were working together to stage the inspections,” a worker said.
The factory, located in Dagon Seikkan Industrial Zone (2), Dagon Myothit (Seikkan) Township, Yangon Region, operates with over 1,000 workers and manufacture BOUTIQUE-brand inflatable winter jackets, and more than half of the workforce reportedly consists of underage laborers.
“I’m still earning only 5,800 MMK. The ministry said the factory must provide an additional subsidy allowance of 2,000 MMK, but we don’t get that here. We work overtime, but we don’t receive full wages. Regular hours are from 7:40 AM to 4:20 PM. On overtime days, we work until 7 PM. But on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we work from 8 PM to 2 AM. Even for that, we’re only paid 6,000 MMK. We have to buy our own meals. The factory doesn’t provide food. If we live far and can’t go home, we even have to buy lunch for the next day. The money they pay barely covers meal costs. Despite working overtime, we get no benefits,” said another worker.
Drinking water issues are also prevalent, with workers forced to use the same water designated for toilets and handwashing. The toilets are reportedly unsanitary, and the number of restrooms is insufficient for the workforce.
Additionally, the clinic lacks medicine, and workers have to purchase their own tools like sewing needles, spools, and badges from the factory office.
“When we finish work at 2 AM, they turn off the lights. Some workers who live nearby go home. Those who don’t stay and sleep in their sewing spots. Some sleep on sewing tables, while others on wooden pallets. Those with mosquito nets use them, but those without use fabric scraps or gunny sacks to cover themselves. There’s no dormitory. Over time, this affects workers’ health. They don’t grant sick leave. If we take leave, they cut our daily wage and attendance bonus. We have to meet the target of 35 garments every 40 minutes. For ticket pay, if we meet 100% of the target, we get 60,000 MMK. For 90%, it’s 50,000 MMK. For 80%, it’s 40,000 MMK. For 70%, it’s 30,000 MMK. If we fall below that, we get nothing. I’ve only received pay once in a month,” said another worker.
The factory lacks employment contracts (EC agreements). While social security contributions are deducted, many workers claim they don’t receive their social security cards even after a year.
Workers who don’t take their entitled leave are not reimbursed their full wages. Instead, they are given nominal bonuses. Overtime is also required on public holidays. These practices continue despite regulations, leaving workers without proper compensation or rights enforcement.
