By Min Ni Kyaw - May 22, 2025
Workers at Precol Myanmar garment factory report that they are being compelled to work excessive overtime hours, including overnight shifts and public holidays. The factory operates on a piece-rate system (ticket-based), and workers claim that if they do not reach the required ticket count, their wages are adjusted accordingly, which forces them to overwork.
“It’s a piece-rate system—we earn as much as we sew. The factory deliberately applies pressure this way. They just pay us the base wage if we don't meet the ticket count, which is very low. Only by hitting the ticket target can we earn a decent salary. So, it’s exhausting,” a worker said.
Workers also stated that they are required to work continuously from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, excluding meal breaks, and sometimes even beyond regular hours into the night. Overnight workers reportedly have to sleep inside the factory, and no return ferry or transportation is arranged for them.
“They don’t provide meals when we are called for overnight shifts. We have to borrow to eat if we don’t bring money. There’s no transportation arranged for us in the morning either. We’re forced to sleep in the factory. They pressure us to work overtime although we don’t want to. We’re taken to the manager by the supervisor if we refuse, On Sundays too, they make us work OT without arranging ferry services,” one worker explained.
“We must report to work even if we have to cover transportation costs ourselves. We have no option to refuse overtime. We are forced to work whenever they call. Working full days at this pace is physically exhausting—we just want to rest,” another worker added.
Workers also raised issues regarding inadequate facilities in the workplace beyond labor concerns. Dining space is reportedly insufficient, forcing employees to eat on the floor. Additionally, the factory’s toilet facilities are said to be unhygienic, and walkways lack proper roofing.
“There’s no shelter on the way to the toilets. We have to walk through the rain and return wet to the factory if it rains, which is uncomfortable. This could also affect the quality of the garments,” a worker remarked.
Precol Myanmar is a Chinese national-owned garment factory located in Industrial Zone 1, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon. Around 1,500 workers are employed at the factory, which manufactures brands such as Aircraft and Burtle.
