By Hsu Latt Phyu - Oct 23, 2024

Workers from Eternal Fashion garment factory which locates at Anawrahta Road, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon region said that the labour office doesn’t take actions on their complaints relating workplace violations.

The violations are forcing overtime on day offs, not giving day off a day in the whole month, verbally abusing for refusing to work overtime, discriminations and intimidations to work overtime.

The factory is owned by a Chinese national and manufacturing SEM/R, TOREAD THE WORLD, TOREVD and minibala brands apparels. 

It is also said that the factory which is operating with more than 10,000 workers doesn’t have a trade union.

“We are being violated by called overtime on every Sunday and the super verbally abuse us and discriminate us if don’t want to,” said a worker who don’t wanted to be named.

Workers are working overtime until 12:00 am in addition of normal working hours and have to work all night overtime continuously for 4 days without a break time.

Workers are intimidated by their job stability and salary if they want to leave the factory with gate pass. Many workers are suffering from health issues due to mid-night and all-night overtimes every day. 

Workers said they were complaint for taking medical leave and thus makes them difficult although it is approved.

Workers report the violations to Department of Labour but there were no changes and actions although the authorities came to investigated.

“The supervisors recruit on online with a attractive salary but workers have to work here like a robot and most of them usually resign before a week. Look how we are suffering from health issues due to excessive overtime. It would be difficult for us if something bad happens to our body,” said a worker.

The unpurified drinking water of the factory also cause the workers diarrhea problems.

“A transportation bus with 45 passenger capacity carried 60 of us and it is dangerous for female to stand and ride. The buses are sufficient in the morning as some workers came on their own plan but it is not convenient in evening but the factory officials are ignoring the risks,” a worker said.

The workers demands in seek of life-work balancing workplace with dignity are –

1.       To provide purified drinking water

2.     To no call mid-night, all-night and Sunday overtime

3.      The supervisors to not force the workers to work overtime

4.     To not complaint for taking medical leave