"GYSen Myanmar Garment Factory Union Members Fired", 5 July 2024

The GYSen Myanmar Garment Factory, which opened in No. (-) Wadaara Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar, with a workforce of over 700 workers, has reportedly fired its officially formed labor union members and leaders.

On April 10, 2024, 50 workers, including officially formed union leaders, were fired from their jobs under the pretext of reducing the number of workers in the button and iron departments. On April 26, the Packing Department was forced to hire day laborers to work in the button section. On May 9, day laborers were hired to work in the iron department. On May 13, the factory hired line helpers to work as iron day laborers.

According to the above evidence, the employer did not actually reduce the workforce due to the lack of orders, but only fired the union leaders in the factory in a show of force to dismiss them. The dissatisfied workers complained to the Labor Administration Department, but no action was taken.

After that, the factory continued to select 9 more members of the legally formed union, and 9 of them were also dismissed.

"[They] dissolved the union...more than 60 workers were dismissed. Among the [workers] who remained without compensation, the union was re-elected from other lines. I heard that the employer paid compensation to the remaining workers the other day. There were 9 left. I heard that the employer paid compensation to the 9. The remaining [workers] are new, 7 boys and 2 girls..." said a person who is helping the workers.

The dismissal was a break-up of a legally formed union, so the employer’s officials had to take action against the GYSen Garment Factory, which filed a complaint with the Registrar General nearly two months ago for violating Section 44(d) and Section 50(a) of the Labor Organizations Act, but no action was taken. The employer and the workers negotiated and agreed on compensation.

“It is not very convenient for the employer to accept the dismissal after paying compensation. If the employer pays money and leaves, then the union will not work. I am angry. There were only 9 people left in the line. All of them were dismissed in the first case. I do not know when the compensation was paid to the 9 newly formed ECs,” said the labor activist.

The STUM strongly opposes and condemns the dismissals by the employer by paying excessive compensation...

STUM also strongly condemns the actions of (9) workers who have taken severance pay from their employers and have made repeated demands to the employer for compensation...

[Translation via Google Translate]