"Workers' rights being violated at TOP CLASS garment factory", 8 November 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 [request for workers'] consent [on] whether or not [they] want to work overtime. There [was] no advance notice. They used to ask [us to do] the overtime when we [were] about to go back [home], 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...workers and hold grudges if they do not work overtime so that they have to work overtime...

In addition, the workers said that the factory officials unfairly asked for [high targets] (Hourly) and if they did not meet the requested [targets], some of the line super[visor]s 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 [at]... in front of the workplace...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...if they speak kindly. Swearing is rude, we want to ask them not to swear or scream. So, that [the work can] 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 [from work place accident[s]. If the factory closes, they will be left empty-handed. [They are] workers in the same factory with same working hours [but they are] not getting the same wages...We appeal [for the factory] to appoint them as permanent [workers],” a worker said.

The workers say that there is no fairness in [the] classifying [of which workers get the] professional fee in the TOP CLASS garment factory.

"Workers are divided into professional pay levels. There is no fairness...the workers who are close to supervisors...get a good grade. In order to be fair, it is necessary to show transparently why [a[ worker gets high grade..." 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...

"If we don't [get] permission [to take leave], it's labelled as absent. 5600 kyats daily wages and 10,000 kyats for the absen[ce] [means] a total of 15,600 kyats are cut for a single absen[ce]..." the workers said.

The workers can use toilet[s] 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 operat[es] with more than 2,000 workers.