Dispatch, Direct Employment, or Freelance — Which is Right for You?

Understanding the fundamental differences between three work styles

"Am I just being used for convenience?"

Ma (27) from Yangon, Myanmar started feeling that way around month 3 of his job.

Every morning he commuted 45 minutes to a factory with "Company A" written on the entrance. But his payslip was from "Company B Staff Services." His health insurance card also printed "B Staff Services" at the top.

One day, a machine broke down on the production line. He went to Company A's manager — who said, "That's something to take up with Company B (the agency)." He called Company B's contact, who said, "Please check with Company A about anything at the worksite." No one took responsibility.

When he tried to apply for paid leave, the agency told him, "Your current contract period (3 months) doesn't meet the eligibility threshold." At the next renewal, they said "We'll check again" — and another 3 months passed.

In March of the following year, the renewal notification stopped coming. The message from his contact simply said, "Due to reduced workload, unfortunately we cannot renew." No reason. No advance notice.

Ma says the feeling of being "used conveniently and discarded when no longer needed" still hasn't gone away. He had thought he was choosing to work as a dispatch worker — but without realizing it, he had become someone who belonged to no one.