Steel workers strike for pay raise
Factory workers demand more than 20 cents a day
Workers from Yangon Crown Steel Company go on strike in front of the factory compound to demand a pay raise
- Thomas Toe, Yangon
- Myanmar
- May 29, 2012
Workers from a steel firm in Yangon have agreed to end a hunger strike, but their 10-day-old walkout will continue, according to the labor union.
The workers from Yangon Crown Steel Company have 13 demands, including a raise from the daily wage of 160 kyat per day (US$0.20). Around 400 of the 700 factory workers have been on strike since May 20.
“Yesterday evening, with the help of the negotiator, we reached 12 points of agreement, except for raising the workers basic pay,” said labor union secretary, Zaw Htet.
On Friday, 25 people went on a hunger strike when the factory owner refused to meet the increased pay demand. Another 26 members joined Saturday, according to Zaw Htet.
Seven workers fainted and one was hospitalized, he said.
“We ended hunger strike at 9 p.m. yesterday at the request of well-known Buddhist monk, Shwe Nya War Sayadaw U Pinnyasiha and the negotiator from the government’s Labor Ministry,” Zaw Htet said.
The negotiator has promised to help until the pay raise demand is met, he added.
A worker who took part in the hunger strike said he has been working at the factory for more than three years and is unable to get public holidays or health care, and with the low salary, he is unable to support his family.
“Suppose if we take one day's leave in case of emergency, they will cut our salary,” worker Aung Kyaw Lin said.
The 88 Generation Students Group is also involved in the strike negotiations, a member said.
"We are trying to help the striking workers so that they may do everything according to the law and not to go beyond that,” Zaw Min said, an 88 Generation member. “We will try to help them until they have received their demands.”
The workers from Yangon Crown Steel Company have 13 demands, including a raise from the daily wage of 160 kyat per day (US$0.20). Around 400 of the 700 factory workers have been on strike since May 20.
“Yesterday evening, with the help of the negotiator, we reached 12 points of agreement, except for raising the workers basic pay,” said labor union secretary, Zaw Htet.
On Friday, 25 people went on a hunger strike when the factory owner refused to meet the increased pay demand. Another 26 members joined Saturday, according to Zaw Htet.
Seven workers fainted and one was hospitalized, he said.
“We ended hunger strike at 9 p.m. yesterday at the request of well-known Buddhist monk, Shwe Nya War Sayadaw U Pinnyasiha and the negotiator from the government’s Labor Ministry,” Zaw Htet said.
The negotiator has promised to help until the pay raise demand is met, he added.
A worker who took part in the hunger strike said he has been working at the factory for more than three years and is unable to get public holidays or health care, and with the low salary, he is unable to support his family.
“Suppose if we take one day's leave in case of emergency, they will cut our salary,” worker Aung Kyaw Lin said.
The 88 Generation Students Group is also involved in the strike negotiations, a member said.
"We are trying to help the striking workers so that they may do everything according to the law and not to go beyond that,” Zaw Min said, an 88 Generation member. “We will try to help them until they have received their demands.”
