Fights For Our Rights
12-14 April 2024Activity Description
A New Burma team works closely with the ground team from FGWM by voice interviewing factory workers in Myanmar. Total 20 workers from 4 different factories were interviewed in the factory. Each of them were interviewed for 3-5 minutes, due to security reasons, we are not putting their name or where they work. Based on that Mg Phoe created 6 watercolor art pieces. Here is the issue we have covered and showcasing the issue that currently happening in the factory on the calendar. As there not enough transportation provided, workers have to commute dangerously Lives of different child workers who are subjected to forced labour under various conditions Factory cafeteria also acting as storage space. As there are not enough tables, workers have to eat their meals on the floor. There is usually a shortage of drinking water as well Life of a pergrants worker being pressured to work until the product meets the quality control standard Life of an underaged child worker who should be in school For a fair wage, For peaceful and safe working conditions, For a new age for workers
Raising Awareness: The series highlights critical issues within the factories, such as unsafe transportation, the exploitation of child labor, inadequate facilities, and the challenges faced by pregnant workers and underaged children. By bringing these issues to life through art, Mg Phoe’s work raises awareness among a broader audience, drawing attention to conditions that might otherwise remain hidden from public view. Advocacy and Dialogue: The visual depiction of these conditions serves as a powerful tool for advocacy. It can influence public opinion and potentially sway policymakers and industry leaders to reconsider and reform labor practices. The artwork encourages dialogue among stakeholders, including NGOs, government bodies, and the international community, about improving labor standards and ensuring worker safety. Empowering Workers: By sharing their stories through the project, the workers are given a voice, albeit anonymously, to express their struggles and injustices faced daily. This act of sharing can be empowering for other workers in similar situations, knowing that their hardships are being recognized and articulated on a public platform. Supporting Change and Fundraising: The exposure generated by this art series can support campaigns aimed at improving labor conditions, securing fair wages, and enforcing labor laws that protect workers, including vulnerable groups like pregnant women and children. Additionally, selling the calendars featuring these watercolors can raise funds for the FGWN (Factory Ground Workers Network), directly supporting their efforts to advocate for and assist factory workers.
