“Tanjin Fashion Milestone Garment Factory pay cut, no overtime fees, and other violations of workers rights”, 30 March 2022

…”Tanjin Fashion Milestone” garment factory…forces workers to work overtime for a half day on Sunday, without any overtime payment, according to garment factory workers who were subject to such overtime work…

…[the] factory…does not allow public holidays or casual leave to the workers. Tanjin Fashion Milestone garment factory…produce[s] for ZARA, ONLY…

“All managers…force us to work overtime for a half day on…Sundays, without any overtime payment. 15 or maybe 20 workers have to work respectively on a line”, a worker who worked such overtime reportedly told MLN.

…workers also stated that although the factory monthly deducted 2880 MMK for contributions to social security system, not only [were] the workers…not entitled to full social security benefits, but they were also subjects to a 30,000 MMK pay cut for taking casual leave.

“Sometimes, when we are on the way to work, we need to return home for emergency family matter[s]. But they are not allowed leave for such matters and the…manager wants us to submit casual leave form. [They give] pay cuts for medical leave as well. And if we [are] absent [for] a day of work, they cut off every wage including daily wages and skilled wages. We are also not entitled to full annual bonus and only get 20,000 MMK for that…” said a worker from the factory.

Workers also reported…that Tanjin Fashion Milestone did not pay any skilled wage to the new workers, unlawful[ly] [cut] pay under various reasons, and they forced workers to work overtime…

“Drinking water turned yellow…A worker who complained about not receiving…overtime pay was fired…” reported the workers.

“We want to settle…[the] violation of [workers’ rights], however we are having…trouble since there are no labour unions to negotiate and settle on behalf of the workers”, workers continued.

According to statements of the workers, there is a workplace coordination committee formed by the factory but it is formed with factory-appointed representatives…