Protesting workers attacked by ‘hired thugs’ in Myanmar

Clash site: People drawn by the fracas at the Chinese-owned garment factory on the outskirts of Yangon. — AFP

YANGON: Riot police rushed to the scene of clashes at a strike-hit Myanmar garment factory after protesting workers say dozens were injured when they were attacked by a mob of “hired thugs”.

The predominantly female workers started picketing the Chinese-owned Fu Yuen Garment Co. Ltd factory in Yangon nearly two months ago over alleged poor conditions and mistreatment, in a country that is becoming Asia’s latest hub for low-cost clothing.

While most of the protesters’ complaints had been resolved, the factory owners refused to re-hire the 30 workers who initially instigated the strike – prompting more anger from workers who continued to camp outside the factory gates in protest.

But after eight weeks, one of the protest leaders Than Than Soe, said that around “40 thugs” set upon them early on Monday morning.

“The thugs came and started to beat us with wooden sticks and metal bars,” she said.

“Twenty-eight people were wounded, six seriously,” she said, adding that all but one of the injured were women.

The violence then escalated as local people hurled rocks and sticks at the factory, smashing windows.

Some two dozen riot police were deployed to keep back the angry crowd gathering outside the factory gates in Dagon Seikkan township on the outskirts of Yangon.

In a statement released later on Facebook, the police offered a different version of events, accusing the protesters of starting the clashes against non-striking workers.

No arrests have yet been confirmed at the factory which employs some 1,200 women and 100 men, according to the police.

Workers say they set up a union two years ago to fight for their rights after enduring abuse from managers, limited toilet breaks and unbearably hot working conditions.

German supermarket chain Lidl, which sources clothing from Fu Yuen, said it had asked the factory management for a statement, “which will be the basis for an internal assessment and which could lead to measures being taken”. — AFP