Don’t begrudge workers the right to survive

RANGOON: -- Myanmar has introduced its first minimum wage after nationwide surveys, demands and campaigns. The official rate is now Ks3,600 a day.

But Chinese and Korean garment factory owners responded by threatening to shut down by September if they are forced to pay that much. An association of Chinese investors recently released a statement condemning the minimum wage.

The statement from the organisation formed by investors from mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan said: “Our main reason for investing in Myanmar is that the country has lots of people and has tax exemptions for exports to third countries. And we invest in Myanmar for the sake of its people who get jobs and for our business interests. But we're shocked to learn about the minimum wage of Ks3,600.”

Read More: http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/editorial/don%E2%80%99t-begrudge-workers-right-survive

Shocked to learn Ks 3,600 a day, shut down factories, may have to reconsider investment! Thats about 110 Baht a day!

Chinese and Korean factory owners should be thrown in jail for slavery.

Let's say factory worker makes 1000 wingdings per day. Increasing wage by 100 baht would work out to 10 satang per unit. That is hardly going to make or break a company, given all the other costs. It's just that greed and exploitation knows no limits.

I agree. Throw the fascists in jail. Greed knows no bounds. The facts bear this out.