Employees get rights, but little else
Despite reforms, Myanmar workers face challenges
Striking factory workers in front of Yangon Crown Steel company in Hmawbi township, Yangon Division
- Thomas Toe, Yangon
- Myanmar
- June 20, 2012
Less than a year ago, workers striking in Myanmar, or even forming unions, was illegal. But since the passing of a new labor law in October, industrial action has become almost a daily occurrence. In May alone, there were more than 10 strikes in Yangon’s garment factories.
Workers say though that as attention has focused on new-found rights – part of widespread reforms under the new military-dominated parliament – the struggle of their daily lives remains ignored.
Phyu Hnin, a 20-year-old worker at Hi Mo High Art wig factory in Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, says she earns as much as 24,000 kyat (US$28.25) if she works 13 hours every day in a given month.
Then she sends money home to her family in western Rakhine State, leaving little to cover her expenses. Meanwhile, life in the factory is far from ideal, she adds.
“We are treated very rudely by those in charge at the factory but we have to be restrained for the sake of being paid,” says Phyu Hnin.
Factory manager Nyo Nyo Hlaing argues though that raising workers’ wages is not possible in a country with still limited economic development and opportunity for profit.
Still, every part of workers’ lives in factories like these is tough, says Htay, an employment lawyer that has represented a rising number of striking workers. He argues that although labor rights have improved dramatically, they have only reached a basic level. It remains difficult to form a union, there is little time off and no such thing as sick days.
Workers struggling to afford a place to sleep, to eat and to save to send money home get paid if they show up, but receive nothing if they fail to do so, for whatever reason. Utay says these issues must be urgently addressed if Myanmar is to manage meaningful reforms that change peoples’ lives.
“If there’s no protection for workers’ rights then unexpected problems will arise and this will impact efforts to transform the country,” he says.
Another problem is that new labor laws only came into effect in October and most workers, who have had no rights in Myanmar for half a century, don’t know them.
“When I meet workers to discuss something related to their jobs or factories, these workers are told off by managers,” says Htay, adding that the government is also failing to tell workers their rights.
Living conditions are another matter, says Hnin Hnin Mar, a 22-year-old worker. She shares a nine-square-foot room with two friends for 30,000 kyat per month.
“Our life in the factory is like a sparrow in a cage - we get food or drink only when the owner gives it to us. We have to live on their sympathy,” she says.
Workers say though that as attention has focused on new-found rights – part of widespread reforms under the new military-dominated parliament – the struggle of their daily lives remains ignored.
Phyu Hnin, a 20-year-old worker at Hi Mo High Art wig factory in Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, says she earns as much as 24,000 kyat (US$28.25) if she works 13 hours every day in a given month.
Then she sends money home to her family in western Rakhine State, leaving little to cover her expenses. Meanwhile, life in the factory is far from ideal, she adds.
“We are treated very rudely by those in charge at the factory but we have to be restrained for the sake of being paid,” says Phyu Hnin.
Factory manager Nyo Nyo Hlaing argues though that raising workers’ wages is not possible in a country with still limited economic development and opportunity for profit.
Still, every part of workers’ lives in factories like these is tough, says Htay, an employment lawyer that has represented a rising number of striking workers. He argues that although labor rights have improved dramatically, they have only reached a basic level. It remains difficult to form a union, there is little time off and no such thing as sick days.
Workers struggling to afford a place to sleep, to eat and to save to send money home get paid if they show up, but receive nothing if they fail to do so, for whatever reason. Utay says these issues must be urgently addressed if Myanmar is to manage meaningful reforms that change peoples’ lives.
“If there’s no protection for workers’ rights then unexpected problems will arise and this will impact efforts to transform the country,” he says.
Another problem is that new labor laws only came into effect in October and most workers, who have had no rights in Myanmar for half a century, don’t know them.
“When I meet workers to discuss something related to their jobs or factories, these workers are told off by managers,” says Htay, adding that the government is also failing to tell workers their rights.
Living conditions are another matter, says Hnin Hnin Mar, a 22-year-old worker. She shares a nine-square-foot room with two friends for 30,000 kyat per month.
“Our life in the factory is like a sparrow in a cage - we get food or drink only when the owner gives it to us. We have to live on their sympathy,” she says.
