Workers at Won Sinh Technology factory in Chonburi, Thailand have reported ongoing discrimination and oppression specifically targeting Myanmar workers. The factory, which employs over 900 Myanmar workers alongside Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese workers, has been accused of implementing discriminatory practices exclusively against Myanmar employees. Workers report that the factory has been terminating employment without cause or compensation and implementing irregular work schedules that severely impact their livelihoods.
The situation began deteriorating after the Chinese New Year holiday period, when the factory introduced an alternating work schedule where workers would work one day and be forced to take the next day off. Some workers report being made to take three to four days off before being allowed to work for just one day, creating significant financial hardship. Despite workers’ requests for daily wage compensation during forced off days, the factory management has remained unresponsive to these concerns. Although Thai labor law mandates a daily minimum wage of 400 baht, the factory has implemented a contract-based payment system that varies according to workload.
The factory management has shown a particularly harsh stance toward Myanmar workers, immediately terminating those with single unauthorized absences. When workers attempt to raise concerns about their treatment, they face a frustrating cycle of deflection between factory management and labor brokers, with neither party taking responsibility for addressing their grievances. Workers who formally resign are reportedly given fake work permits, creating additional obstacles for seeking new employment opportunities. The cost of obtaining new work permits can reach approximately one million Myanmar kyat, presenting a significant financial burden for workers seeking alternative employment.
When Myanmar workers attempted to organize protests against these discriminatory practices, the factory responded by terminating those involved in the demonstrations. This pattern of labor rights violations and discriminatory treatment has led to declining morale among Myanmar workers, many of whom are now actively seeking alternative employment opportunities despite the challenges of securing new work permits and dealing with documentation issues. The situation highlights the vulnerable position of migrant workers in Thailand and the need for greater protection of their labor rights and fair treatment in the workplace.
