By Min Ni Kyaw - May 07, 2025
Workers say that Casico Garment Limited factory is forcing them to work without paying the full daily wage as prescribed by law.
“They give different daily wages to us. Only the sewing workers get 5,800, 6,800, or 7,200 kyats—each amount varies. Helper workers are given just 4,800 kyats. But the workload is the same whether it’s 7,200 or 4,800 kyats. Working hours and production targets are also the same. Only the daily wage is different,” the workers said.
According to Myanmar labour law, the minimum daily wage is 4,800 kyats, but the Ministry of Labour has instructed factories to add an additional 2,000 kyats in allowances in recent years.
Workers also said they are regularly required to work over two hours of overtime daily, and are made to work night shifts without being asked for consent. The factory pressures them to work without consultation.
“We don’t want to work overtime until midnight. But the employer forces us to. They don’t even ask if we have consent. There is no agreement required for overtime. We have reported to the labour office three times already, but no one comes to inspect,” the workers said.
They added that despite being entitled to various types of leave under the law, the factory cuts 30,000 kyats for daily wages and attendance bonuses if any day is missed. Workers also experience social difficulties whenever family emergencies arise as the factory doesn’t issue gate passes.
Factory officials also pressure workers with unachievable garment production targets. It is known that even the HR manager, who is supposed to handle administrative duties, enters the production line to push these targets.
“Over 50 people work in one sewing line but they demand up to 35 garments per hour. The supervisors and superiors just yell at us constantly if we don’t meet the target,. They shout at us non-stop,” workers said.
Casico Garment Limited factory is located at Industrial Zone 3, Seik kan Thar Road, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon, and is manufacturing SPAO brand with over 400 workers. The factory is owned by a South Korean national, and workers stated that no trade union has been formed.
