"Workers' rights being violated at Myanmar's Zande garment factory", 28 November 2023

Myanmar Zande Garment Factory workers said that they are being...forced to work [overtime overnight] without informing the workers in advanced...[they are] asked for an increase in the amount of cloth[es] [they must complete], intimidate[d] to resign if they [do] not [reach the target], pregnant workers [are dismissed] and [the factory is] not resolving any difficulties in the workplace.

It is known that the factory is opened near Nawaday bus stop, Seik Kan Thar Road, Hlaing Thayar Township and manufacturing jackets [for brands] such as Zara and INDITEX brands with more than 400 workers.

"In addition [to] working all day on Saturdays, we have to work until 5:00 the next morning. Working all night in long-term affects my health. We can refuse [but] if we do, we will be discriminated against," said the unnamed worker.

The worker also said that although there are difficulties in the workplace, there is no way to negotiate and resolve them, and there is no labor union formed.

"They demand 25 fabrics per hour for a [section] where 40 people are...If we don't [meet] the [target] they ask for, the super[visors] yell and intimidate us to leave...," said the worker.

She said that workers are given leave and benefits in the workplace, but if [the workers leave because of] an urgent health issue or causal issues, the leave and other benefits are cut on the pay day.

"We are deducted 4,800 kyats of daily wages, 20,000 kyats of attendance bonus; a total of 24,800 kyats..." said the unsatisfied worker.

Although workers are entitled to benefits after paying social security contributions, pregnant workers are often fired, and the worker said that pregnant workers who are fired lose their benefits and suffer...

The workers said that currently it is difficult to complain about any discomfort in the workplace as the worker who goes to the manager to complain is intimidated with malice and pressurized.

The workers said that they want to request [the factory does] not[:]...call [for] all night overtime without informing them in advance[];...not to use [insults] and yell within the workplace[;] not to dismiss pregnant women who don’t make any mistakes[;]to allow causal leave and to resolve the workplace related difficulties.