More than 60 workers from Springair Ace Factory on 8th Street of Shwepaukkan in Mingalardon Township, Yangon Region, have filed a complaint that about 200 workers are not allowed to enter the factory although the factory has been permitted to reopen as it meets A level criteria set by the government. 

“The township negotiation team submitted a letter of complaint to the administrator as requested by the workers. The letter also went to three relevant ministries. We also need to send a letter to the Covid-19 response committee informing how the workers have to live and eat in the factory compound with evidential photos,” said Ye Yint Phyo from United League of Unions (Myanmar). 

A female worker said they were not informed about factory reopening and when they went to work, they were not allowed to enter. 

We heard our factory has reopened since October 14. We were not informed. When we went there, they denied our entry. When we asked (factory officials) what arrangements there would be for us in the closing period, they said it was up to the Social Security Board, said the worker.  

Sandar Htay, an HR official, said the factory had just reopened and hostel rooms would be rented outside for the workers to live in.  

“It has not been long since the factory reopened. I myself started working today. Fearing that workers will be coming from outside, the factory is planning to rent hostels for the workers. They have to come from their hostels. We have not asked all the workers to come to work. We have asked only a few workers deemed necessary. We didn’t open the factory gate because we have yet to officially announce our reopening. Interpreters and Chinese live here. Fearing the Covid-19 outbreak, they have not reopened the factory. That’s it. We didn’t say we would fire them,” Sandar Htay said.  

She added that continued hiring of workers as the factory receives few orders and salary payment for the workers during the closing period are under discussion.  

In the complaint, the workers say they can go into quarantine if necessary but they should be informed about the exact date of factory reopening and paid their salary for the closing period.