Garment factory workers protests against labour rights violations

 

The factory workers carried placards and banners bearing slogans such as "We demand labour rights" and "Stop discrimination against workers."

 

Moreover, they shouted other slogans, including "Stop the unfair dismissal Labour Union members."

 

"The cause of the protest is a quarrel between the two factory workers that took place in July. Five labour union leaders were going to resolve the dispute, but the factory owner dismissed the five leaders. We filed a complaint to a local tribunal, which ordered the factory owner to compensate the five union leaders throughout the dispute period and to re-appoint them to their positions. However, the factory owner did not pay them, and he also refused to rehire them. Without these leaders, we are in danger of losing other opportunities and labour rights," said Naing Htay Lwin who is a labour union leader.

 

Moreover, factory authorities banned workers who demanded the reappointment of the five dismissed union leaders. 

 

"Therefore, we had to stage a protest,” said Naing Htay Lwin.

 

The workers initially planned to stage the protest in front of the factory, but police prohibited the protest because the workers did not have permission.