Myanmar workers at Won Sinh Technology factory in Chonburi, Thailand, have reported experiencing discrimination and oppression from their employers. The factory, which employs over 900 Myanmar workers alongside Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese workers, has been specifically targeting Myanmar workers with unfair treatment. Workers report that the factory has been terminating employees without cause or compensation and implementing irregular work schedules.
The factory initially recruited workers during peak production periods, but after the Chinese New Year holiday, they began implementing an alternating work schedule where workers would work one day and rest the next. Some workers are forced to take three to four days off before being allowed to work for just one day, causing significant hardship. Despite workers’ requests for daily wage compensation during forced off days, the factory has not responded. While the Thai government mandates a daily minimum wage of 400 baht, the factory operates on a contract-based system that pays workers based on production output rather than daily rates.
Workers face immediate termination for even a single unauthorized absence, and when they attempt to raise concerns, they are caught in a cycle of redirection between factory management and brokers, with neither party taking responsibility for addressing their issues. Those who formally resign are given fake work permits, making it difficult to find employment at other factories. Workers must spend approximately 1 million Myanmar kyat (roughly 10 lakhs) to obtain new work permits.
When workers have attempted to protest these conditions, the factory has responded by terminating those involved in the demonstrations. Currently, Myanmar workers continue to face job insecurity and discriminatory treatment compared to workers of other nationalities. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and unfair labor practices.
