Tai Yai labour strike deadlocked

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 12:14 Kyaw Kha

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Striking workers at the Tai Yai footware factory in Rangoon, the owner and government officials could not reach a settlement on Monday, as the strike went into its nineth day. Workers are asking for more pay and improved working conditions.

On February 9, workers at two nearby factories, the New Way footwear factory and the Thonehtutgyi garment factory, also staged strikes, which were quickly settled after a negotiated settlement.

However, a delegation of 38 workers from the Tai Yai factory, the factory’s Chinese owner and Director General Chit Shein of the  Labour department could not reach a negotiated settlement.

The strikers asked for an increase in basic pay to 216 kyat (US$ 0.27 cents) per hour from 75 kyat (10 cents) per hour. They reduced their demand to 150 kyat (19 cents) after the first negotiations failed. The factory owner offered 100 kyat (13 cents) per hour, which the workers rejected. The working hours at the factory are from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“Their stand is no more wage increase, take it or leave it,” Moe Wei, a strike leader told Mizzima.

The strikers demands include higher basic pay, removal of an absentee penalty fine, no deduction of wages from the cost of accidental damage of footwear on the production line, adequate drinking water and toilet facilities, and leave during family emergencies.

Under the current wage, many workers can’t make ends meet, they said.

“The rent for accommodation for each worker will cost them at least 8,000 Kyat (US$ 100),” said Moe Wei. “The cost for meals for each worker is about 25,000 kyat (US$ 31). So the total cost for their living expenses will reach more than 40,000 kyat (US$ 50). The highest wages they get is not more than 70,000 kyat (US$ 87) and they have no benefits and perks other than their wages.”

Most of the workers hail from central Burma, Rakhine, Shan and Irrawaddy regions and states. They come to Rangoon for jobs because there is little work in their home areas.

Mizzima contacted the Hlaing Tharyar Township Labour department and the Tai Yi footwear factory, but officials declined to answer questions.

A labour lawyer, Pho Phyu, who is advising the workers, said that he would represent them regarding legal matters until a settlement is reached.

The Tai Yi factory is owned by a Chinese national and since 2010, it has faced labour strikes for three years in row.

The strike this year is the longest so far.