What to Do If You Face Harassment at Work

Support contacts you can use without your company finding out

"Because of you, today's production line fell behind schedule. How are you going to take responsibility?"

11:16 PM. That message appeared on Nay's (28) phone. It was from the team leader.

Nay, from Myanmar, was already in bed. He had to be up at 5 AM to get to the factory — but he lay there holding his phone, unable to sleep.

This wasn't the first time. Starting around month 4 at the factory in February 2024, the team leader began making comments every time the line fell behind. "Do you understand what caused the delay today?" — no direct accusation. But everyone in the room followed the team leader's gaze. They all looked at Nay.

Nay came in earlier than anyone else and worked hard to avoid mistakes. Still, every time something went wrong, the eyes turned to him. The late-night LINE messages came 2–3 times a week.

His residence permit renewal was handled by the company. "If they dislike me, they might not help with the next renewal" — that fear kept him silent. He couldn't say anything to anyone.

Nay's situation is not unusual. In factories, restaurants, construction, nursing care — workplaces where many foreign workers work — situations like this are still happening today.