"Police Arrest Protesting Garment Workers", 4 March 2015

Police in Rangoon Division...arrested at least 20 striking workers...who had begun a sit-in protest...About 100 workers from COSTEC and Ford Glory garment factories in Shwepyithar Industrial Zone, who have been protesting to demand a pay rise from their employers for over a month, began a fresh sit-in protest...after a planned march to City Hall was blocked by hundreds of police...On Feb. 2, about 2,000 employees of the E-Land Myanmar, COSTEC and Ford Glory garment factories began a strike to demand a raise in monthly wages to 80,000 kyat [US$78], up from 50,000 kyat. The factories, which are owned by Chinese and South Korean firms, according to the workers, rejected the demands and offered 62,000 kyats. While some laborers have since returned to work, about 600 workers from the COSTEC and Ford Glory factories remain on strike...Workers have also demanded the introduction of a set, fair minimum wage; firm action against employers that break the law; compensation during the negotiation period; and the release of striking laborers who have been arrested in recent weeks.