It is learned that workers have returned to work at the garment factory owned by Golden Five Myanmar Co., Ltd, where demands had taken place. Workers said that they had been making demands including equal payment of wages and wage increases starting from January 7, and that the demands came to an end on January 12.
“We started making demands from the 7th. It lasted about six days. The main demand was to pay equal daily wages to helpers and workers from other departments. That one was not achieved,” a worker said.
More than 400 workers took part when the demands first began, but it is learned that currently more than 300 workers continued the demands. Although negotiations were held last Saturday, the results were not accepted by the workers’ side, a worker said.
The workers had demanded an increase in daily wages from 11,500 kyats to 12,000 kyats, payment in accordance with the prescribed daily wage on factory holidays, an increase of 20,000 kyats each for skill allowances, clear specification of skill allowances, equal daily wages for workers from other departments as well, not forcing workers to work without paying overtime fees, provision of ferry transportation, and sufficient dining facilities for workers.
Although leading workers, the factory WCC group, the employer, and officials from the Department of Labour negotiated and signed agreements on some of the demands on Saturday, January 10, the majority of workers did not accept them.
“We couldn’t accept the outcome. But the strength of the workers also decreased. So, we had to accept it,” a worker said.
They also said that although the employer side made some threats during the demands, no particular problems occurred.
The Golden Five Myanmar garment factory is owned by Chinese nationals and is known to be manufacturing garments for brands such as First Down and Workman Colors. The factory, which employs around 1,000 workers, is located on Mya Kyun Thar Road, Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon City.
