Over 200 workers from a garment factory in Thardu industrial zone, Shwepyithar Township visited Yangon Region government office on December 19 demanding social welfare benefits.

They demanded maternity leave, healthcare and other benefits for which they regularly pay social welfare contributions.

A worker from the garment factory, Zin Mar Oo, said, “When we asked for our maternity leave and sick leave we were told we were not entitled to these rights and benefits as our factory did not pay social welfare contributions as required, but we have to pay over 2,000 kyats, nearly 3,000 kyats monthly. Our employer misuses this fund but Social Welfare Department did not take any action against the employer. The amount for eight months of social welfare contributions is not a small amount.”

Though the Yangon Region government Chief Minister could not meet the workers, Immigration and Human Resources Minister Moe Moe Suu Kyi arbitrated the dispute saying she would resolve this through legal means. 

As per the Social Welfare Law, the employees need to pay 2% of their wages and the employer needs to pay 3% for healthcare of the workers as social welfare contributions.