“The union leader was fired for saying that he had been accused 4 times. There are also violations of labor rights in the workplace”, 30 May 2023

It is reported that a trade union leader was dismissed from work at the Jinli wool factory, which opened with more than 270 workers on the service road of Shwe Lin Van Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thayar Township, Yangon Region, on the grounds that the warning letter had been filled 4 times.

There are currently violations of labor rights in the workplace, and the workers have put forward demands, including the reinstatement of the fired union leader.

It is also reported that workers do not have a day off due to the fact that Sundays are not a weekend day off because the employer is forcing them to work overtime.

It is reported that the factory, which is owned by a Chinese national, sews H&M brand woollen clothes…

Day laborers who have completed 3 months are not entitled to casual leave and social security medical leave, so if they miss a day of work, they are having a hard time because [their wages will be] cut...

"Out of 270 workers, there are about the same number of day laborers and confirmed employees. The day laborers are called when orders are placed. If the order is low, they are fired. If the inspection comes, they say there [are] no day [labourers]. When the inspection comes, the day laborers have a 3-month contract and are appointed. If they [are not needed] for the full 3 months, they are fired," said the worker, who did not want to be named…

… when the workers go to work at 7:30 AM, the workers enter the workplace early and sew clothes before the work time starts at 6:00 AM. [Workers are] having to sew clothes without having to take a full meal (1) hour.[A worker] He said that he does not get a full break because he has been working for 4 hours and has to sew clothes.

The workers…demand that day laborers be appointed as approved employees for 3 months, and that day laborers be given social security benefits, etc.

…[worker also ask for: The factory to not require] workers to provide [services] not included in the EC contract;…the mechanics to clear the grass outside the fence; Drainage, The municipality does not collect garbage at the factory; If the municipality is going to come and check, the worker always has to go and throw away the garbage. [Workers were] forced to cut trees in front of the factory; In the past, girls were forced to collect garbage outside the fence. They were forced [workers] to cut grass. The workers said that some department workers are being asked to wash cars.

He said that he wanted to ask the…factory [to] not to ask them to do any work unrelated to their work, to ask for more time for…workers can sew…and to request that work be closed on Sundays.

[Translation via Google Translate]