Myanmar: Garment workers report verbal abuse, mandatory overtime at factory & excessive production targets
Summary
Date Reported: 24 Jan 2024
Location: Myanmar
Companies
LPP Spółka Akcyjna - Reported buyer , Reserved (part of LPP Spółka Akcyjna) - Reported buyer , Sinsay (part of LPP S.A.) - Reported buyer , Cropp (part of LPP S.A) - Reported buyer , NKD - Reported buyer , Bohua Fashion - SupplierAffected
Total individuals affected: 300
Workers: ( 300 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Wage Theft , Excessive production targets , Mandatory overtime , Intimidation , Freedom of AssociationResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Bohua Fashion allegedly supplies to or has previously supplied to LPP (for its Reserved, Sinsay and Cropp brands) and NKD; LPP provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre, stating it does not source from the factory. NKD has previously informed us it does not source from the factory.
Source type: News outlet
"BOHUA FASHION garment factory workers' rights are being violated", 24 January 2024
At BOHUA FASHION CO., LTD... labor rights violations are being committed, and workers say that there is no solution when complaints are made.
In the workplace, if you take...leave...your wages will be cut... If the [target] is not met, the...factory manager and the super[visor] will yell at them and force them to work more hours on Saturdays and Sundays, and the workers say that they are committing acts of non-payment of overtime wages.
"If the workers are not satisfied with the issues at the factory, and if there are things that are posted on social media...the employer shuts down the factory...because the factory is not satisfied, then every time we hold a meeting, they say that only you workers will suffer. They only threaten the workers without fixing their needs...
[no] worker is...allowed to enjoy...casual leave, and if...leave is not given due to health damage or other emergency issues, financial cuts are made...
"Another thing is that the HR people come to the machine line asking for the [targets] and put...pressure on the workers. When they called for work, they were called with 5,600 and when the salary was issued, they...paid 4,800 and 5,000. I feel that they are exploiting the workers," said the worker.
The factory working hours are 7:30 am to 4:00 pm and the workers are forced to work overtime until 8:00 pm.
"The employer asked me to work overtime on Saturdays and Sundays and did not pay me the overtime pay..." the worker said.
...if...inspect[ions] [happen at] the workplace, the workers...have been trained in advance [and] are often forced to give false answers...
In the establishment of the WCC without the establishment of a trade union, the employer must choose 3 representatives from the workers' side, but the 3 representatives from the workers' side were not chosen by the workers and were only chosen by the employer's side.....
It is reported that the factory, which was opened in Shwe Lin Van Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thayar Township, Yangon Region...operates with more than 300 workers.
[Translation via Google Translate]