Burma

Workers Strike over Chinese New Year Wage Dispute

By KHIN OO THAR / THE IRRAWADDY Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Workers at a factory in the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone strike against substandard working conditions on Feb. 8, 2010. (Photo: The Irrawaddy)

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More than a thousand workers at a Chinese-owned shoe factory in Rangoon went on strike on Monday after they discovered that they would not be paid for an enforced five-day break to mark the Chinese New Year.

The strike, by workers of the Tai Yi Slipper factory in Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone (3), continued into a second day on Tuesday, according to lawyer and worker's rights activist Pho Phyu.

“We are trying to find the best solution for both sides,” Myat Thin Aung, the chairman of the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zones, told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday, adding that officials from the Ministry of Labor are also involved in negotiations.

The workers, who say they should be paid for the five days of work they missed because it was the company's decision to close for the holiday, were forced to disperse this afternoon without achieving their aims.

According to Pho Phyu, the workers are also angry over wages deducted for lateness caused by ferry service delays.

In the past two years, workers in Rangoon's industrial zones have gone on strike on a number of occasions to protest wage deductions and poor working conditions.

According to Myat Thin Aung, there are more than 40,000 workers employed by a wide range of factories at six industrial zones in Hlaing Tharyar.

COMMENTS (9)

RIT Wrote:

09/02/2012

We have learned from foreigners that Bama is not race of business, nor race of technician, but just race of arts. That means for living we just want to do EASY job, except hard one. That is why there are so many pwe sar (agents) in Burma. They don't want to sweat too much for upgrading themselves in business. This is or will be business world where you have to survive. Learn from them (Chinese or Indians) whatever. And BEAT them one day. That's it.

Ko Ko La Min Wrote:

09/02/2012

RIT, I don't know what country do u live currently, if you lived in Burma n knew the terrible hardship that we, burmese face everyday, you wouldn't say such thing. These people exploit our people cos they knew they can do it get away with it. r u say to put up with those Chinese bulliness? May be u are out of touch, or may be you one of those/ families who exploits fellow Burmese.

The observer Wrote:

09/02/2012

It is the right time for both employers and employee to behave with respect to the rights that both deserve.

Both side should be educated and of course, with the clear support of the people Government and NGOs.

Involvement of groups like worker's rights activist, Ministry of Labor and trusted Media is good and hopefully Both will get satisfactory results.

Instead of pointing out weakness or strength,
I would like to say that Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) and the law related should be introduced to both parties.

Later on, We, the Myanmar citizen will experience, feel and see the art of living with LAW respected and transparent to all.

Marty Myanmar Wrote:

09/02/2012

I saw some news that the UMFCCI was going to take action on the factory owners that increased the wages of the workers.

The news made me feel ill, They did not try to reduce costs, they did not try to ask for increase prices, if you cannot compete, you should close down, but complaining to the UMFCCI and even worse the UMFCCI announcing such news was pure and simply lunacy.

It was punishing factories that succeeded in getting better prices, and reducing costs and passing on the benefits to their workers.

ASSK better a have a good plan, we are not even asking for a great plan.

chris jericho Wrote:

08/02/2012

spot on, RIT. Although they are far from reaching the prosperity of the western countries, the burmese have unfortunately started to show the western mentality (read entitlement, here). the country is definitely following the footsteps of the phillipines rather than those of asian tigers.

RIT Wrote:

08/02/2012

I am sure the boss didn't drag the women out of their houses and force them work. If you don't like the salary just go away. If the boss
can't recruit enough workers, they will close the factories. Very simple. Currently I don't like my job, no choice. I have to work two jobs. That's it.

kerry Wrote:

08/02/2012

Chinese must not exploit Burma any further.

What tragically cannot be changed yet in China (except internally) should not be transported to other vulnerable places.

Sadly, the very great danger of doing business with China is their total disregard for human life.

The Chinese authorities are clearly scared of change (hence their blocking of action for traumatized Syria) so the Chinese people (inside and outside) must start to look at gentle negotiation for real change internally.

Otherwise China will be the large power stuck in a brutal past, trying to impose the same on others.

Burma does not have to go down this track. Many nations will assist, starting now, and more as soon as the needed changes are completed. Of course the military do not want to give up their old habits, but sadly it is not a real choice.

The only other choice is to give Burma to China. That would be the ultimate nightmare, not an option really.

tocharian Wrote:

08/02/2012

This Chinese New Year strike is a symptom of something much deeper: the exploitation of poor Burmese women workers in sweatshops run by rich Chinese "businessmen" (better known as thieves and thugs). It's like slave labour with no rights. The NLD should take a stand on this issue.
Power to the Workers and Farmers of Burma! (even Mao Tsetung would agree with that lol)

Oo Maung Gyi Wrote:

08/02/2012

The workers are excercising their rights under democratic priciples. The labour ministry and workers union should solve workers demand peacefully under the rule of law. The authority should understand what is the rule of law at this juncture when the country is towards the democracy to establish.