By Hsu Latt Phyu -  Dec 27, 2023

Best Choice Garment Co., Ltd., which sews Vaile Bleue brand singlets and Japanese fabrics, are demanding more than the workers can sew, not giving them benefits and illegally firing them, according to workers.

The Chinese-owned factory, which was opened in Hlaing Thar Yar Township's Anawrahtar Industrial Zone, is operating with more than 500 workers and there is no trade union formed.

"When asking for a target, they ask for the whole line. If they ask for 60 today, the next day is 80. If they order a new style today, they ask for the number of garments today. They also ask for workers who don't come to work. How will it be convenient? If the target is hit, we receive a bonus of 5,000 to 10,000 kyats bonus given by the employer. But that is not always the case, as the record is set one-sidedly, and many days filled to hit the target. We have to sign warning and sometimes being fired if the target is not met,” said the worker. 

In addition, the worker said that they are not entitled to casual leave, which all workers are entitled to, they will be cut 5,600 kyats daily wage and 15,000 kyats attendance bonuses if they miss the work a day.

"We can’t enjoy leave benefits and taking a leave got cut. Causal leave is not also entitled. Recently, we have to work overtime without breaks. We have to work all light and all nights, and even on Sunda. Now, they are not calling anymore as the orders are going to low," said the worker.

The worker said that they want to appeal not to lay off them without any mistakes, all supers not to force them to sign warning when they can’t met the on sided demanded fabric target, to let them enjoy leave benefits and to ask only the target that they can sew.