Myanmar: Garment workers report multiple labour rights violations at factory, incl. denial of legal benefits, unsafe working conditions & forced overtime
Summary
Date Reported: 5 Aug 2022
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Jennyfer - Buyer , Sinoproud Thein Wa - Supplier , Bestseller - Reported buyer , ONLY (part of Bestseller) - Reported buyer , Zara (part of Inditex) - Reported buyer , Inditex - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1300
Workers: ( 1300 - Myanmar , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Mandatory overtime , Excessive production targets , Denial of leave , Denial of permanent contracts , Gender Discrimination , Personal Health , Wage Theft , Occupational Health & SafetyResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Sinoproud Thein Wa allegedly supplies to Jennyfer, BESTSELLER for its brand ONLY, and Inditex for its brand ZARA. BESTSELLER and Inditex provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre, stating they do not source from the factory. Jennyfer did not provide a response.
Source type: News outlet
“Over 1,000 workers at Sinoproud TW Garments are losing their labor rights and are working more than the scheduled overtime without receiving full overtime pay.”, 5 August 2022
…1,300 workers at the Sinoproud TW Garments factory are losing their labor rights and working overtime without full overtime pay.
These workers are not given the benefits of vacations and working holidays, which are the benefits of the law. (2) In the workplace [the] employer [is] asking for [workers to meet higher targets] that workers cannot [meet]…[workers face] screaming and swearing in the workplace from Super[visors] and [the] Leader; [There is a] [f]ailure to plan for workplace safety.
Not providing enough drinking water for workers and not providing clean drinking water… Inadequate provision of emergency exist or blocking- The clinic is opened only on the days when there is visit or inspect by responsible department; other than that day, the clinic is always closed and no enough medicine are available. The nurse is also asked to do only office work rather than her duty. - Lack of adequate toilets for workers. - Not making adequate arrangements for the workers' dining hall; Forcing workers to work overtime without their consent on public holidays, and not receiving the full amount of overtime pay as stipulated by law. It is reported that all night workers are being forced [to work]...
It is said that when they have to go to work [late they must] get back [home]...without…a ferry ride.
Also, few workers have social security insurance...
If the day workers in the factory complete the trial period of (3) months, they will be forced to complete (6) months of service without appointing permanent employees. - Daily wages are paid to daily workers when they start work, but not paid when they complete (6) months of service; It is also reported that the tailors in the machine line are paid professional fees and daily fees, but other lines such as Cutting, Q.C, and Finishing departments are not paid professional fees and daily fees.
In addition, if you miss a day of work...the professional fees are cut, other than sewing employees who have less than six (6) months of service, they only pay 3,600 kyats per day and overtime pay (900 kyats) every day from Monday to Friday.
The factory is a CMP company that manufactures brands such as ZARA, ONLY...JENNYFER...
The workers have made 13 demands due to many violations...
Claims are (1) statutory benefits such as casual leave…maternity leave. In case of injury due to employment and work, [workers] to be entitled to full legal benefits. (2) To fully receive other legal benefits that are due. (3) When asking the workers [to meet targets], to [have targets] that the workers can sew. (4) [Supervisors] should not…always shout harsh words…to the workers. (5) Super[visors] [should not] make abusive slurs against…workers. (6) To provide workplace safety. (7) If you want to call for holidays and overtime, [get] the consent of the workers and...pay overtime as prescribed by law. (8) To call for overtime only within the time limit set by law…(9) To hire day laborers as permanent employees for 3 full months and to provide wages and other benefits as determined by law...(10) Pay regular wages to all employees. (11) To pay overtime to the day workers after the Saturday working hours (working hours after 11) (12) To prepare enough dining room and seating tables...
[Translation via Google Translate and translator]