"Despite illegal actions such as increasing subsidies and reducing other benefits, the factory threatens to sue complainants"

Workers at the ... Myanmar Zhi Xin Garment Co.ltd have been violating labor laws, but the factory has threatened to sue them if they complain about their grievances, according to workers.

The factory is located on Pabedaung Maung Khet Road in Shwe Lin Van Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar Township. It employs over 1,200 workers and produces brands such as Jackfield Original, CUTTER&BUCK, ODV, and JACK FIELD.

“They do whatever they want. It is not in accordance with the law. The working hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., but they are forced to work overtime every day until 9 p.m. If they do not work overtime, their wages are reduced. There are also dismissals. "I can't even take a day off on Sundays. Another thing is that they increased the allowance by 1,000 kyats. They reduced the skill allowance because of this increase. Previously, A2+ workers were paid 180,000 kyats in Grade. They said they would increase the allowance by 1,000 kyats and then reduce it to 120,000 kyats. If they are not satisfied with this, they are told to leave. In addition, they are not entitled to medical leave or casual leave," said a factory worker.

The factory employs more than 100 day laborers, but those who have been working for more than 3 months are not appointed as employees. They are paid 8,000 kyats even though they work 10 hours a day. On Saturdays, they only receive 6,000 kyats for 10 hours of work and are not paid on Sundays.

In addition, the manager in the workplace is also abusive, and the WCC committee has been formed but it is not able to protect the workers. The factory has also threatened to sue those who complain about such incidents.

“Today, we were asked to move a production line to the upper floor. The workers complained that the upper floor was closed and smelled bad, so the leader went to the manager, Daw Thantar Aung, and told her. The workers complained about it. The factory is not that busy. They kept cursing me. The workers complained back, and the production line leader was fired. The employer always illegally fires workers if they don’t get along with them .... When the workers were fired, the leader said he fired them. The entire production line leader did nothing and asked them to stop working, asking if they should fire them,” said a worker.

Myanmar Zhi Xin Garment Co. Ltd. demands that workers receive legal benefits, that the employer increase the allowance by 1,000 baht, and that the previously set skill wage be reduced, and that they not fire them illegally without any reason. [Workers want managers to give them Sundays off], not to call workers "shitty" or "scold" them, to appoint workers who have completed three (3) months as employees, and to pay full wages to day laborers.

[Translation via Google Translate]