Extended protest at Asia Rose factory
Play
Workers from the Asia Rose Garment are continuing with their work stoppage, pushing for a pay hike and the Thingyan (new year) bonus, according to Moe Thanda, secretary of the workers group.
In a recent negotiation, the factory owner agreed to 11 proposals, except the pay hike and the bonus.
They started the protest on May 7, joined by some 300 workers, and demanded greater respect of their rights and a better salary, which is currently Ks 400 per day or US$0.4. Their new year bonus was just Ks 7,000 (nearly US$7).
"Due to the intervention by the authorities, we got some allowance but we should get more according to the law. But we need to further negotiate for salary and bonus. We will go to work after wer reach an agreement on this," said Moe Thanda.
With the factory located in Hlaingthayar industrial zone, Asia Rose produces men's clothing and accessories.
Officials from the Ministry of Labour and township administrators were at the scene on May 24 to assist the negotiation. The production process has already been suspended due to the protest by more than 380 workers, according to the owner Kyin Hmwe.
"We are going to solve the labour issue in accordance with the law. We don't want to say that the amount requested by the workers is much or little. But the company's board of directors is going to make a decision,"said Kyin Hmwe, owner of Asia Rose Garment.
Workers have been forced to beg for food as the protests continue. Some monasteries and respective township leaders are providing rice to the protesters.
