By Hsu Latt Phyu - Jan 13, 2024

At the Myanmar Bestex garment factory which locates at Min Aya Street, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon Division, workers are asked to sew more than they can sew and if the they have to work overtime for free if the target the employer asked is not met, said a worker working at the factory.

It is reported that the Chinese national owned factory employs more than 500 workers and is manufacturing Sinsay brand jackets.

The worker also said that there is no labor union formed to deal with labor matters in the workplace. It is said that they forced to work overtime without getting a day off in public holidays.

The worker said that despite having to sew international brand clothes, they only received 4,800 kyats as a daily wage and 1,000 kyats as a subsidy, and the professional fees are set at 15,000 kyats for A, 10,000 kyats for B, and 5,000 kyats for C.

"They unfairly ask for a target that is impossible for the workers to sew and the line supers scold us and force us to sign a warning if those targets are not met. We have to work 2 hours of overtime for free. We generally have to work from 10 to 20 hours overtime a month without getting paid," said the worker.

The worker said that child labors are hired in the workplace, and the workers do not get their legal rights, such as casual and medical leaves, and they face difficulties even if they want to take a social security leave and have to work in the workplace of unbalanced heat and cold.

The workers said that they want to appeal to demand only the possible target, the supers to not use verbal abuse, to call overtime only together with the workers’ agreement, to give full overtime wages and to provide a workplace of health in harmony.