By Hsu Latt Phyu - Jun 17, 2025
Workers at Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd, a garment factory located on Min Gyi Maha Min Khaung Road, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaing Tharyar Township, Yangon Region, are protesting and calling for resolution after the factory violated their freedom of association (FOA) by financially supporting WCC worker representatives to suppress workers, they said.
The Chinese national-owned factory, which employs over 900 workers, is manufacturing the ONLY and BESTSELLER brands shirts and pants.
It is known that there is no trade union at the workplace, and only a Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC) has been formed.
“Workers submitted names for the WCC worker representatives in June 2024. Later, they took positions under the name of ‘disciplinary enforcement’ and started oppressive actions. We didn’t like that and requested new elections, but the employer didn’t respond,” a worker said.
It is reported that since August 2024, three worker representatives had been receiving a monthly support payment of 300,000 kyats each from the factory. Workers submitted a formal letter requesting an explanation from factory management regarding this payment, but the factory denied making such payments.
“On June 10, representatives from BESTSELLER said the factory had given money to workers. When we told them we have evidence, they said they would take action against those who made the accusations,” a worker said.
“On June 12, people from Made in Myanmar Smart Factories came to the factory and asked about the suppression of workers and payment to the WCC, which violates freedom of association. They just said they would give a response, but there was no clear discussion or action taken. They came again today,” the worker continued.
Workers said they have requested assistance from the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) regarding this issue.
Currently, workers are protesting and demanding:
1. That responsible persons at the factory who violated the right to freely associate and negotiate by exercising undue influence and giving bribes be held accountable, and that the factory owner address the issue in line with labour law, EC – Employment Contracts, and collective agreements.
2. That action be taken against the worker representatives who accepted bribes, in accordance with labour law, EC - Employment Contracts, and collective agreements.
3. That a re-election of the Workplace Coordination Committee be conducted.
