More than 200 workers from five garment factories in Halingthaya and Shwepyitha Townships, are gathering in front of Yangon Region Government Office, to ask for the help from the regional government to help solve the violations of labour rights. 

The gathering aims to ask for the help from Yangon Region Minister for Immigration and Human Resources Moe Moe Suu Kyi.

Ma Moe Sandar Myint who leads the garment sector under the Action Labour Right Group said: “It aims to ask for help from the region minister as solving the disputes at the bottom level in five factories doesn’t reach the satisfactory level. There are three major problems in five factories. These problems are the destruction of labour union, failing to recognize ILO Convention 87 and the sacking of labour union members. There are many factories which oppose ILO Convention. They are trying every possible way to crush the labour union. We experience life-threatening cases. The contracts are signed after employer-employee disputes are negotiated due to the demands by both sides. We come here as employers easily breach these contracts.”

Yangon Region MP Kyaw Zeya from Dagon Township Constituency said: “In last June, the ministry was formed to deal with the employer-employee disputes. Something is wrong if there is a labour dispute. The administrative body is to solve this problem whoever makes mistakes. We are monitoring the labour disputes. In the previous summer, there were demonstrations almost every day. It is not good for the country. The authorities need to solve this problem as quickly as possible in order to avoid similar cases. Further delay may tarnish our image as well.”

These workers are supported by other garment  labour unions.