By Ma Ma - Nov 09, 2024
Although the military has mandated a minimum daily wage of 6,800 kyats for an 8-hour workday, not all factory workers are receiving this wage, according to labor rights activists.
In Myanmar, the minimum wage for an 8-hour workday was originally set at 4,800 kyats in 2018. After the military takeover, the State Administration Council announced incremental increases to the wage, adding an additional 1,000 kyats in October 2023 and another 1,000 kyats in August 2024, bringing the total to 6,800 kyats.
“While the daily wage has officially been set at 6,800 kyats for an 8-hour workday, not all factory workers are receiving this amount. Based on information we’ve received, some factories in areas like South Dagon and Dagon Seikkan are not complying with this requirement,” said a labor rights activist.
Currently, factory workers are struggling with rising costs of living, and many are forced to work overtime without any day offs just to make ends meet.
This constant pressure to work extended hours is also having a negative impact on workers' health.
“We are still only receiving a basic wage of 5,800 kyats. There has been no raised. As it is, our wages are not enough to cover our living expenses. Every month, we have to lend, repay debts as soon as we got paid and take new loans just to survive,” said a worker from Real Star factory.
The rising cost of goods has made daily life challenging for basic class across the country.
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), as of October 31, 2024 approximately 13.3 million people which is around one in four people in Myanmar —are facing food insecurity. Among them, 2.7 million are in an emergency situation regarding access to food.
