Myanmar: Garment workers report sexual harassment & physical assault at factory
Summary
Date Reported: 22 Apr 2024
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Edinburgh Woollen Mill - Buyer , Just Cashmere - Buyer , Marks & Spencer - Reported buyer , Erdos Myanmar - SupplierAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Sexual harassment , Harassment (other than sexual) , Violence , Gender Discrimination , Occupational Health & Safety , Mandatory overtime , Child labourResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Erdos Myanmar allegedly supplies to orhas supplied to Marks & Spencer, Just Cashmere and Edinburgh Woollen Mill; Neither Just Cashmere nor Edinburgh Woollen Mill provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. Marks & Spencer previously told us it has been inactive in Myanmar since April 2023, and therefore cannot comment on allegations.
Source type: News outlet
"He said that he filed a complaint to resolve rights violations in the workplace", 22 April 2024
Workers from Erdos Myanmar Knitwear woolen factory which locates at Yaw A Twin Wun U Phoe Hlaing Street, Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Haling Thar Yar Township said that their rights are being violated...
The factory manufactures JUSTE CACHEMIRE, LOCHMERE and ZENOBI brands. There is no trade union in the factory but only a workplace coordination committee which can’t really address the workers problems.
“The male experts physically assault the female when they talk. A super[visor] points to the chest. The factory calls evening and night overtime shifts without providing food for night overtimes...
The workers [do not] get access to legal casual and seniority leaves [and] they [don't] dare to speak out as they are afraid to lose their jobs...
The factory also hires underage workers in the factory...Workers said that they are facing many difficulties and pressures which even made them want to resign...
[Translation via Myanmar Labour News]