How could they pay more than they have?' They are not with us,” said one of the representatives who attended the meeting.
“They'd better change their office name into 'Department of Employers' instead of 'Department of Labor!'" angrily remarked one female worker in her twenties.
When The Irrawaddy called the Department of Labor, one of the senior officials said some of the workers were happy with the offer while some were not. “I am too busy to answer your questions,” the official added before slamming down the receiver.
On Thursday morning, the 10th day of the strike, the representatives sought a general consensus from the striking workers outside the factory to proceed with their cause legally, and asked them to go back to their dorms.
A few minutes later, the 46 workers-cum-spokespersons were on their way to Rangoon Division Labor Office for some paperwork to submit their case next Monday to the Trade Dispute Committee, a government body to settle disputes between workers and employers.
“We're still on strike. We are fighting for our rights, because we want to be treated fairly. If we fail, we will ask for compensation and find another job. That's what we have decided,” said a female worker representative before she entered the labor office.