By Min Ni Kyaw - Aug 15, 2024

Workers from Taiwanese national owned Very Impressive Prospect (VIP) sport equipment factory from Wartayar Industrial Zone said that they are protesting for pay raise by stop working since August 13.

It is known that 5 representatives are called to the manager office and authorities including Shwe Pyi Thar police inspector and Labor officers inspected and intimidated them. 

“We could arrest you according to the law. Go back to work after 3 days protesting. Accept what you get paid or you would be arrested if you don’t go back to work,” workers were intimidated.

The factory owner called military, police, administration and ward administrator to pressurize the workers since August 13, 2024 when the protests started. The employer also intimidated that they will close down the factory.

“They called police and military to beat the protestors in the past. Leaders were tracked and searched at home,” a worker said.

The factory also dismissed the workers who tried to form labor organization for full labor rights in the factory were also dismissed in 2023 and the factory manager and HR manager Daw May Thwal Soe told the military and the police to arrest the protestors.

VIP sport factory workers are asking for 12 facts including the pay raise in basic salary, attendance bonus and expert fee and to not call for work on day offs and to give legal leave benefits.

Federation of General Workers Myanmar said that the factory hasn’t re-appoint the illegally dismissed workers leaders and the employer is still intimidating the protestors.