Myanmar: Workers at Zong Hong Garment reported mandatory overtime, excessive production target and intimidation
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 27 May 2023
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Bestseller - Buyer , Zong Hong - Supplier , LPP Spółka Akcyjna - Buyer , New Yorker - Buyer , Primark (part of Associated British Foods) - Former buyer , ONLY (part of Bestseller) - Buyer , Inditex - Buyer , Sinsay (part of LPP S.A.) - BuyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 2700
Workers: ( 2700 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Excessive production targets , Harassment (other than sexual) , Gender Discrimination , Denial of leave , Mandatory overtime , Wage Theft , Freedom of AssociationResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Action taken: Zong Hong (Myanmar) Garment allegedly supplies or has supplied to Inditex for its Zara brand, Primark, New Yorker for its FBSister brand, BESTSELLER for its ONLY brand and LPP S.A for its Sinsay brand. Inditex BESTSELLER and LPP S.A. provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. New Yorker did not respond. Primark has previously stated it ceased business with the factory in June 2022.
Source type: News outlet
"At the Zong Hong Garment Factory, the workers have to work overtime on Sundays"
... At the factory supplying international brands such as Sinsay, ONLY, and Fbsister, workers say they have to work overtime on Sundays, and if they refuse to work, they face a hard time because of reduced wages.
The factory, which was opened in Mya Green Industrial Zone in Hlaing Thayar Township, is owned by Chinese nationals and operates with more than 2,700 workers.
At the factory, the workers were forced to leave until 8 p.m. every day and forced to work on Sundays, the public holiday.
The unsatisfied worker said that in the workplace, they call the workers before the start of their working hours, speak rudely to the workers, and force them to sign documents if they do not meet the production targets.
"The target is unfair. It's difficult to sew jackets. They ask a worker for 50 pieces of fabric per hour. They don't even drink water... If they don't meet the standard, the supervisor scream and make them cry," said the unnamed worker...
"Workers do not get the days off and work days they are entitled to, and if the workers take emergency leave, they are not given leave. The workers' wages will be deducted from their wages (4,800 kyats)...," he said.
In the workplace, the WCC labor representatives did not discuss the problems of the workers, and did not ask about the workers' wishes... The workers said that the WCC forced them to sign the agreement [to work overtime]...