By Yoon Sat - Feb 28, 2025

The Yangon Region Department of Labour Office has failed to take action against Golden Colour Fashion (Myanmar) Company, located in Industrial Zone (3), Mya Taung Wun Gyi U Mho Road in Insein Township, Yangon Region, for physically assaulting and unlawfully dismissing a union member. This was reported by the Solidarity Trade Unions of Myanmar (STUM).

The factory owner, a Chinese national, dragged a female worker out of the office and the worker has filed a complaint with the Insein Township Labour Affairs Office, which conducted three rounds of negotiations. However, the employer repeatedly denied the allegations, intimidated the victim, and no resolution was reached. As a result, the affected worker pursued legal action.

"The Labour Affairs Office issued a directive to proceed in accordance with the Labour Organization Law according to the law. The Labour Affairs Office must file a lawsuit under this law, if an employer violates the law. The law does not include provisions for the victimized worker to file a case themselves. Based on the issued directive, the owner, along with witnesses, can be reported to the ILO, which implies a directive has been issued," stated STUM.

The worker reported the physical assault and unlawful dismissal as violations of labour laws and requested the Labour Affairs Office to take legal action. However, the office only facilitated negotiations between the worker and the employer, which did not result in a resolution.

Despite the lack of resolution, the Labour Affairs Office did not take action against the employer. Instead, they issued a directive to proceed in accordance with the 2011 Labour Organization Law.