Workers calling for increased pay and better treatment ended their strike Friday, 8 June, after agreement was reached with the Win Myint Mo company, a subsidiary of Asia World, reported Kawli Media.

Asia World is owned by former “King of Opium” Lo Hsing Han and his son Stephen Law aka Tun Myint Naing.

A view of Bawdwin from the hill (Photo: The International Steam Pages)

The workers went on strike on 31 May after the company failed to pay for their overtime working during the April Water Throwing Festival.

The 9 point demand include:

• Basic pay
• 40 hour work per week
• Repair of damaged railroad between Namtu and Bawdwin
• Exemption from water and electricity tax
• Freedom to set up a trade union
• Not to discharge workers at will
• Monthly pay for daily-wage workers plus overtime
• Right to receive 30,000 kyat ($ 37.5) government grant beginning May
• Appointment of a doctor at Bawdwin Hospital and treatment free of charge

Signed by 517 workers, a petition was submitted to President Thein Sein on 5 June.

Company representatives had agreed to Point 1-6 unconditionally. As for Point 7, the company said it could agree to paying the daily-wage workers K 2,100 ($ 2.6) per day. Government grants would be paid beginning June. It will also apply for a doctor from the state government but the workers are required to foot their medical bills partly.

The Namtu-Bawdwin mines, operated since the British days, still boasts more than 11 million tons of ore. It had been one of the main revenue earners for the Shan State Government before Independence. It was taken over by the Win Myint Mo 2 years earlier “somewhat reluctantly”, according to the workers, resulting in the fall in the production.

“More than 200 workers were sacked since the beginning of the year,” said a protestor. “The company now promised there will be no lay-off within the next 6-months.”