Low wages cause labour disputes, says trade union

Low wages cause labour disputes, says labour union

Published on Wednesday, 25 December 2013 18:28

Workers on strike at Myanmar Handsome Garment Factory, Yangon Region. (Photo – Thet Myo Min/ EMG)

Low wages are the main cause of conflicts between employers and employees in factories, according to a survey taken by Myanmar Labour Union for "setting minimum wages and basic living costs."

The survey said that workers' low incomes have resulted in criminal offences, decreased productivity, conflict with employers, unethical behaviour, corruption and other serious social consequences.

Children of poor workers are usually deprived of education, as their parents cannot afford to send them to school, according to the survey. To solve these issues, it has called for the government to take measures to control rising commodity prices and enact a minimum wage law as soon as possible.

The interim labour union also stated that the average living cost for a family of three with a father, mother and a primary school-aged child is about Ks 182,910 (US$ 200) per month. However, factory workers who go on strike over low wages normally earn between Ks 25,000 (US$ 25) and Ks 30,000 (US$ 30) per month.

During this year in Yangon Region, factory workers from San Kaung Hote Sein Plastic Bags, Wan Hao Hen Garments, Myanmar Yes Sweets, Esquire Shoes, Lucky Shoes, Su Lat Htet Thar Garments, Kaung Myat San Thit Finished Woods, Hope One Garments, Myanmar Handsome Garments, North Shore Garments and Great Wall Shoes went on strike over low wages and labour rights.

"During the labour strikes that occurred in September, most of the leaders of the protesting workers were fired," said lawyer U Htay, a labour rights activist.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/low-wages-cause-labour-disputes-says-trade-union/