Although Euro Gate Garment Factory in South Dagon Industrial Zone (1) in Yangon Region has closed down for over eight months, the factory owner who was filed a lawsuit against for failure to pay salaries has not come to the court for his trial, said Kyaw Myo Htwe, chairman of Labor Power Group. 

He said if the rumour that the factory owner with German citizenship had run away was true, the judicial system must be called into question. 

“We have learned that the next trial is on November 23. Some trails could not take place because of the election. We have seen nothing regarding the case such as inspection. We also heard. The German owner is not inside the country. If he has managed to run away during his trial, we have to question the judicial system. Who will take responsibility for this?” he commented. 

Despite repeated phone contacts made, the head of the labour department concerned, who filed the lawsuit as a plaintiff, could not be reached. In the first call, he said he was not free while one of his men said his boss was in a meeting in another call. Later, their phone banned incoming calls. 

One factory worker, Myo Min Lwin, said only about 100 workers had got new jobs but over 500 others were still out of work. Meanwhile, a court hearing has yet to come as it was still waiting for the factory owner. 

We didn’t get social security benefits either. At every court trail, we had to leave as the owner didn’t show up. There was no investigation,” he said. 

Workers’ protests occurred as the garment factory owner did not pay salaries for March and April until the Myanmar New Year holiday. He then paid half of the salary and signed an agreement to make the remaining payment on April 21. However, the factory has not reopened since April 21, said the workers.  

The lawsuit was lodged against the factory owner at South Dagon Township Court in mid-May for not paying salaries for March and April. As the factory owner did not visit the court at all though there have been eight rounds of trail in over eight months. 

In connection with the case, a letter has been sent to the regional government to help solve the problem. The letter also demanded that a Myanmar citizen who is a shareholder of the factory replace the Garman owner.