By Hsu Latt Phyu - Jul 05, 2025
Workers are being forced to work excessive overtime, and incidents of sexual harassment against female workers are occurring inside the workplace at Sunrise Myanmar Fashion Garment, according to the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
The factory, located on Kyauk Sein Road in Zone 4 of the Shwepyithar Industrial Zone, Yangon, employs around 800 workers and manufacture Japanese fashion brand BURTLE.
It is reported that only a Workplace Coordination Committee - WCC has been formed at the factory, with no trade union established. Workers are required to work from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM daily and are also made to work on holidays.
“The main issue is that we are made to work on Sundays almost without break. The whole factory is forced to do overtime on Sundays, and sometimes workers are split into shifts. Around 200 workers were made to work until midnight in June. Afterward, they’re sent home in factory buses and arrive home around 1:30 AM. The next morning, we have to return to work as usual. Over time, this affects the our health. Even though complaints were made and inspections occurred, the factory continued calling workers for overtime. As of July 5, we were still working until midnight,” a worker said.
In addition to forced excessive overtime, sexual harassment by a Chinese national inside the factory has been reported, but there has been no action taken despite workers’ complaints.
“A Chinese mechanic asks female workers for their phone numbers, sends them messages saying he likes them, asks them to go eat snacks together, and promises to buy things for them. Some supervisors also ask for the phone numbers of female workers and pass them on to him. They say things like, ‘He’ll buy you a house or propose to you if you marry him.’ Some women are too embarrassed to speak up. Others reported to the manager, but the company defends the perpetrator, saying he’s important to the operation,” said a worker.
Workers are calling for solutions to the ongoing excessive overtime and verbal sexual harassment.
“There’s no one to help us. Some don’t speak out because they’re too embarrassed,” another worker added.
The workers' demands are:
- Overtime should be limited to the factory’s standard operating hours at 7:00 PM, and any emergency overtime beyond that should be scheduled fairly and on rotation.
- The factory, which repeatedly violates workers’ rights, should be held accountable by relevant authorities and buyer brands.
- Action should be taken against the Chinese citizens and involved supervisors who are harassing female workers by asking for their phone numbers and sending them unsolicited messages.
