Myanmar: Garment workers demand wage increase as cost of living rises
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 17 May 2024
Location: Myanmar
Companies
Bestseller - Buyer , ONLY (part of Bestseller) - Buyer , Inditex - Reported buyer , Pimkie (part of Association Familiale Mulliez) - Former buyer , Mango - Reported buyer , Dishang - SupplierAffected
Total individuals affected: 1000
Workers: ( 1000 - Location unknown , Clothing & textile , Gender not reported )Issues
Fair & Equal WagesResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Dishang Fashion allegedly supplies or has supplied to BESTSELLER, Mango, Pimkie and Inditex; All brands provided a response to a request for comment from the Resource Centre. Pimkie stated it has not sourced from the factory since September 2022. Mango also stated it no longer operates in Myanmar, and that it did not source from Dishang Fashion. Inditex previously stated it does not source from the factory.
Source type: News outlet
"Due to rising commodity prices and food insufficiency, the workers demanded an increase in daily allowances and OT allowances.", 17 May 2024
...Dishang Fashion factory workers are demanding an increase of around 7,000 kyats in daily allowances and overtime pay due to the difficulty of meeting the wages and living expenses of the factory.
...the factory...has more than 1,000 workers, and 95 percent of the workers are making such a request...
As for the workers' demands, they are asking for an increase of 7,000 kyats in day pay, 1,700 kyats for OT per hour, 30,000 kyats per day, and a two-year salary increase based on seniority.
"I want to be able to live on a regular basis for living expenses. Now, I can't pay [for goods] with [my] salary and the price of the goods. I have to take on debts... The worker said...
He said that there is not enough food to buy gas cans and basic food items...
The initial request to increase the day fee and other fees started on May 13th, but the officials of the workplace said that they would negotiate because they could not find a solution to continue the work.
"As workers, we are ready to negotiate with the offices and departments. Currently, other factories are also increasing their wages from at least 7,500 to more than 8,000. The price of goods will rise. Soon, the price of goods will overwhelm the workers," said the worker.
It is said that the members of the workplace coordination committee are also involved in the current demand without the formation of a trade union in the workplace.
The factory making the request...manufactures ONLY brand coats.
[Translation via Google Translate]