Hanthar Hein
Workers told the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that the manager at Win Land Co., Ltd. factory verbally abuses subordinate workers in a rude and aggressive manner and forces them to do tasks that are not part of their responsibilities.
“The HR manager uses extremely rude language when ordering female clerks around. He shouts loudly and curses at them. Clerks are supposed to focus on clerical and data work, but if they make mistakes, they are forced to sign warning letters. On top of that, they are ordered to do all kinds of other work—thread trimming, chalk marking, burning threads, sewing, edge trimming, ironing, and even chasing production targets. If things take too long, he threatens and intimidates us,” workers said.
Workers also reported that inside the workplace, supervisors and OS staff aggressively and verbally demand production targets, and when targets are not met, workers’ entitlements are cut.
“They demand production targets that workers cannot possibly meet—200 pieces per hour. If the target isn’t met, supervisors curse at us and use abusive language. If the set target is not achieved, they cut skill bonuses. If there are defects, they force us to work on Sundays without pay. If we don’t work on those days, supervisors and OS staff threaten us, saying we shouldn’t even ask about our wages,” workers said.
In addition, workers said the factory has not signed employer–employee (EC) agreements and continues to deduct wages even from workers who return home with gate passes.
“They don’t provide EC contracts, and we don’t know what rules or conditions apply. If we go home using a gate pass due to personal reasons, even if it’s only in the evening, they deduct 5,800 kyats from our daily wage. They also deduct another 3,000 kyats, claiming it is for the day’s meal,” workers said.
Workers said that although a Workplace Coordinating Committee (WCC) has been formed at the factory, it does not resolve workers’ difficulties or protect them.
Win Land Co., Ltd. factory is located at the corner of Mya Thiri Phyu Road and Mya Khwar Nyo Road, Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, in Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. The factory employs more than 650 workers and is owned by Chinese nationals. According to workers, the factory makes underwear, T-shirts, and rainwear for the FB Sister and AMISU brands.
