Myo Thein
#Letter
We would like to report the ongoing issues at the Max Technology earphone factory regarding consistently late salary payments and ferry buses not waiting for workers.
Previously, when our case was reported by Myanmar Labour News, officials from the township labor office came to inspect. After that, salaries were paid by 4:30 p.m., and the ferry transportation was handled properly.
However, that improvement lasted only for one month.
On the 5th of last month, November, and again on the 5th of this month, salaries were paid after 4:30 p.m. Because of this delay, the ferry buses did not wait for workers.
When we asked the drivers to wait, the manager’s father responded, “If you want the buses to wait for the workers who were left behind, then everyone on the bus should get off. We’ll come back to pick them up at 6:00 p.m.”
They said they would come back to pick up those who were left behind, but although they said they would return, they never did.
The workers who were left behind were not from just one route. They were workers living in many different areas, and a large number of people were left behind.
In addition, we are not given leave. Supervisors cdemand higher targets, and the way they compare us to animals has become extremely abusive.
We want to inform the relevant authorities of these issues through Myanmar Labour News.
When we request leave, we have to call supervisors directly, but they immediately refuse. Even when there is evidence to support our leave request, it is not accepted.
We do not even know what casual leave is supposed to be. Every time we request leave, we are simply told it is not allowed.
Many workers have been employed for almost a year and still have not received their social security cards. When we ask the factory for social security recommendation letters, the factory provides them, but the clinic refuses. Then we are told to ask the manager for the social security card.
Workers are left not knowing who to ask or what to do between social security offices and the manager.
As we do not have social security cards, when we get sick, our absence is recorded. When we return to work, we are always scolded, which has made us afraid to even come back to work.
Even when outside clinics issue medical certificates, they are not accepted.
Even if we have not reached three unexcused absences, supervisors and OS staff still scold us. On the day we return to work, we are called aside and reprimanded.
If supervisors are willing, they may grant casual leave using an external medical certificate. Even then, only 4,800 kyats is paid for that day, and allowances are not provided.
The last time, it was officially announced that a 1,000-kyat allowance would be paid, but we still have not received it.
Production targets are also set higher than the official standard. On days when targets are not met, supervisors directly insult us by comparing us to animals, and supervisors do the same.
On top of that, wages are deducted under the excuse of “defects.”
We ask the relevant authorities to resolve all of these issues.
The factory is located at near Thandin (Gate 74), Shwepyitha Township No. 304, Tabinshwehti Road, Watayar Industrial Zone, Yangon.
