Myanmar: Garment workers at Golden Fashion factory report rights violations incl. denial of leave
Summary
Date Reported: 17 Oct 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Golden Fashion - Supplier , Benetton Group - BuyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 900
Workers: ( 900 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Mandatory overtime , Wage Theft , Pregnancy discrimination , Denial of leave , Occupational Health & Safety , Excessive production targetsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Golden Fashion allegedly supplies to Benetton Group; Benetton Group provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre.
Source type: News outlet
GOLDEN FASHION GARMENT FACTORY, set a date without permission and cut rights
The workers of the GOLDEN FASHION Garment Factory told Myanmar Labor News that they are not given the holidays specified in the law and their rights are being cut...
According to the workers, the GOLDEN FASHION garment factory is operated in Anawrahta Industrial Zone and is owned by Chinese nationals.
"I can't take leave...[otherwise] Professional fee will be deducted for one day...." The factory workers said.
He said that most of the workers [do not take] leave because they cannot easily get a gate pass...
...GOLDEN FASHION Garment Factory says that it will cut the right to leave...[and] if the garment is not completed within the specified time, the workers say that the expert fee will be cut again.
"The employer said that starting from the 6th month (June) of this year, he ordered 10,000 machines. If only 70 percent [of orders] is completed within the specified date, the expert fee will be cut. Cut up to 30 percent. " said the workers.
The workers told Myanmar Labor News that the factory officials are [asking workers to meet targets that are] are more than the workers can [meet]. Pregnant workers are...forced to work [un]comfortably...
In addition, the factory did not inform the workers in advance that they would call for overtime.
"...They told me that I had to [do] overtime...Workers are not allowed to call their families about being late," the workers said.
It has been almost 2 years since GOLDEN FASHION factory opened, and more than 900 workers are using unsanitary toilet [facilities], they told Myanmar Labor News.
It is said that the factory is sewing brands such as UNITED COLORS OF BENETTON. It is said that there is no labor union in the workplace, but a workplace coordination committee (WCC) has been formed.
If the [factory] call for [over]time, they should talk [to workers] in advance and [get] the workers' consent. If you take legal leave...you [should] be paid for the day. [The factory should] not deduct from workers' wages...[Targets should be set to what] the workers can make; According to the workers, they want to request that the toilets be kept clean.
[Translation via Google Translate]