Fifty Myanmar workers employed at a spoon manufacturing factory in Samut Sakhon, Thailand, have filed an official complaint through the Myanmar Labor Affairs Help Center (MHAC) to Thai authorities regarding labor rights violations that have persisted for nearly two years. The workers have been facing significant hardships in their daily lives due to these violations and continued oppression from their employer.
The primary violations committed by the employer include labor exploitation, forced overtime, and non-payment of overtime wages. The factory management has been requiring two workers to perform tasks normally assigned to three workers, and three workers to handle workloads meant for five workers. Additionally, the employer has failed to take responsibility for workplace injuries, denied workers their entitled leave benefits, and terminated employees who voiced complaints about these conditions. The systematic exploitation has created severe financial and personal hardships for the affected workers.
In response to these violations, MHAC has collaborated with officials from the Ministry of Labor of the National Unity Government to submit a formal complaint to Thai authorities. The complaint seeks appropriate action against the employer and demands compensation for lost wages and benefits owed to the Myanmar workers. Thai authorities have promised to investigate the factory and have assured that they will work to resolve the workers’ grievances within a reasonable timeframe. They have committed to conducting thorough inspections of the facility and implementing measures to ensure the restoration of the workers’ rights and compensation for their losses.
