Yangon garment workers demand pay rise at factory supplying Polish fashion brand

About 700 workers at the Sanyan Outdoor garment factory in Yangon gathered on Monday to demand higher wages and better working conditions, according to employees of the company. The factory, located in the War Tayar Industrial Zone in Shwepyithar Township, produces clothing for the Polish fashion brand Sinsay, owned by LPP, one of central Europe’s largest apparel companies. Workers said they took the action to protest low pay and excessive production targets. A male employee who has worked at the factory since it opened a year ago said the workers made their demands peacefully while sitting inside the factory compound. “We made our demands together, but the employer told us they couldn’t increase wages by even one kyat,” he said, speaking to Myanmar Now on condition of anonymity. “They told us that if we were not willing to work under the current pay, we should leave and apply to factories offering higher wages.” He said they called for a daily wage of 12,500 kyat (about US$3), a monthly attendance bonus of 60,000 kyat, overtime pay of 2,500 kyat, skill-based premiums ranging from 70,000 to 180,000 kyat, and piece-rate pay for meeting production targets. Management had reportedly warned that anyone who failed to return to work within three days would be dismissed under what workers described as an “automatic resignation” policy. About 30 minutes after the workers began voicing their demands, the factory gates were locked and the water supply was cut off, according to employees. The water was later restored after workers raised concerns, but they continued to press for their demands. Workers said rising living costs have made their wages insufficient. A female worker, also speaking anonymously, said employees are typically expected to produce around 350 garments per day. At Sanyan, however, daily targets had been raised to 500 tops and 700 pairs of trousers. “They pushed us to maximise productivity without fair pay,” she said. “That’s why we had to demand better wages.” Myanmar Now has contacted factory officials for comment on the dispute, but has yet to receive a response. Since the 2021 military coup, soaring commodity prices have eroded workers’ purchasing power, contributing to labour disputes, higher staff turnover, the loss of skilled workers, and declining production, according to labour rights groups. Activists say trade unions and labour organisations have faced repression under military rule, including restrictions on freedom of association and the right to organise, as well as allegations of wage exploitation and forced labour. Myanmar has ratified four of the 10 core conventions of the International Labour Organisation, which in June of last year reinstated sanctions in response to alleged workers’ rights violations by the current regime. According to a statement released at the time, the junta has committed severe breaches of Convention 87, which guarantees freedom of association, and Convention 29, on forced labour. It was the first time in 25 years that the United Nations labour agency had imposed new sanctions on Myanmar.

Yangon garment workers demand pay rise at factory supplying Polish fashion brand

Workers cite rising living costs, increased production targets in call for higher wages and improved working conditions

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