by Myint Maung
Friday, 05 March 2010 11:16
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Workers of three companies located in Rangoon’s Shwe Pyi Thar Township Industrial Zone on Thursday resumed normal work, as employers showed signs of positively responding to worker demands made during a demonstration on Wednesday.
Workers at the Grand Royal beverage factory, Super Garment and Kaunggyi Minglar textile factories held a demonstration demanding a pay raise and other labor rights. But with employers responding to the demand, workers on Thursday ceased their demonstration and resumed normal working hours, according to labor representatives.
“The workers demanded a raise of 1,800 kyats (US $1 = 1,000 kyats) per month. The company did not comply, but agreed to a raise of 6,000 kyats in the attendance bonus, bringing the potential perk to 10,000 kyats. The bonus will not be given if workers are absent for two days,” sources close to the Grand Royal beverage factory told Mizzima.
The source added that the companies also agreed to pay a bonus of 10,000 kyats to each employee on the occasion of the Burmese Water Festival, also known as Burmese New Year, which occurs in April.
“The workers agreed to the terms offered by the company, so they all resumed work on Thursday. They were all dropped off at their homes by the company’s ferries after the negotiations,” the source added.
While over 1,000 workers of the Grand Royal beverage factory demanded a raise in pay and to recognize public holidays, over 20 workers of the Super Garment Company joined the demonstration in demand of labor rights.
The Super Garment factory has over 100 employees, each earning about 30,000 kyats per month. But due to an increase in commodity prices, the workers demanded a corresponding increase in labor salaries.
Workers in Rangoon’s Industrial Zones have in the past occasionally demonstrated in demanding labor rights and benefits. During last month alone, workers demonstrated at least ten times.
Friday, March 5, 2010
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