By Min Ni Kyaw - Dec 02, 2024
Workers at Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods Manufactory Company Limited’s bag sewing factory in Zone 4 (MK) are facing difficulties in the workplace due to forced factory transfers without their consent, according to reports. It is said that the factory conducts these transfers at least once a year.
"Every six months or once a year, we are forced to go work elsewhere. Once we go, we have to stay there for 2 to 3 months. They don’t ask for our consent. Of course, it’s for work, but the transferred workers are treated differently by the leaders at new factory. Sometimes, we don’t even get chairs for sewing," a worker shared their experience.
Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods Manufactory has three factories—P1, P2, and P4—and workers from P4 are reportedly being transferred to P2, according to workers.
"They make us sign a paper every time we get transferred. When HR calls us to talk about going to P2, they make it sound nice, but when we get there, they say the MK (P4) factory is closing, and they make us sign. After 2-3 months, they transfer us back to P4, saying it’s reopening. They make us sign again. We don’t even know how they’re calculating our service years," one worker said.
Workers explained that HR had informed them about the transfer, stating that both factories belong to Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods Manufactory Company Limited. However, even though they are transferred, they do not work together as a group in P2. Instead, they are assigned to different positions individually, causing additional stress for the workers. Furthermore, frequent transfers from P4 to P2 under the pretext of a lack of work in P4 are reportedly creating mental strain for the workers.
"They treat us harshly and scold us. The leaders at that factory are very aggressive toward us. Transferred workers are pressured and treated differently. Workers in that factory all have proper chairs to sit and work, but only the transferred workers face discrimination. We joined MK for an interview and were hired for work there, not to be transferred elsewhere. When they announce a transfer, workers cry. We’re just getting used to the place when they force us to move, and it’s emotionally draining. The mental toll is unbearable," one worker shared.
Additionally, workers claimed that the manager of P4 is a Chinese national and that unreasonable output demands and excessive pressure are being imposed in the workplace. Workers also reported that throughout November, including Saturdays, they worked overtime until 8:30 PM daily. On Sunday, November 24, workers were also made to do overtime.
Currently, workers in P4 say they are unable to seek assistance as there are no WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee) representatives or worker representatives in the factory.
Myanmar Gigi Leather Goods Manufactory, located in Thar Du Kan Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon, is owned by Chinese national. Workers say the factory employs around 400 workers to manufacture Michel Kors brand leather handbags and wallets.
