Myo Thein
March 15, 2026
Workers say that at the Jiangsu Soho Myanmar Industry garment factory, a Chinese female manager is directly overseeing operations, monitoring workers, and dismissing them arbitrarily. They also said that clerks have been instructed to monitor workers, creating a high-pressure working environment.
“When the Chinese woman walks around the production lines, she scolds workers, takes photos, and then fires them the next day if she sees anyone standing or talking. Mainly, she dismisses immediately if she doesn’t like someone. The clerks follow her tone and behavior because she has instructed them to monitor us,” workers said.
Workers said that the foreign manager does not understand what workers are saying and dismisses them without valid reasons. They also said that workers are not allowed to sign their own overtime records, and when requesting gate passes, clerks respond rudely.
“We have to ask repeatedly to get a gate pass. Even when they agree, the clerks say things like ‘we’re too busy to deal with this’ or ‘why are you going out unnecessarily’ before giving it. As for overtime records, the clerks sign on behalf of workers. No matter how many overtime hours we work, they are the ones signing,” workers said.
Workers also said that when production targets set by the factory are not met, line supervisors and supervisors shout and verbally abuse them, and that this has become worse during the Thingyan period.
“The targets they set are unrealistic, so no production line can meet them. Supervisors and line leaders shout and scold us when we fail. They receive large Thingyan bonuses every year, so during this time, the exploitation and threats become worse. They have no sympathy for workers,” workers said.
Although the official start time is 7:30 AM, workers said they are required to enter the workplace five minutes earlier. They also said that they do not receive legally entitled leave and that absences result in deductions from daily wages and attendance bonuses.
Workers added that for the past two months, part of the 80,000 kyats snack allowance has been deducted, with only 30,000 kyats being paid instead of the full amount.
“From the 80,000 kyats snack allowance, 50,000 kyats is deducted, and we only receive 30,000 kyats for two months now. In reality, this ‘snack allowance’ is actually a skill allowance, but now it’s being cut. We are also forced to work overtime every day. We are not granted casual or medical leave. If we are marked absent, 15,000 kyats is deducted from our daily wage and attendance bonus,” workers said.
Workers also said that during lunch breaks, they are not allowed to rest inside the workplace and are only permitted to stay in the dining area, causing discomfort.
The Jiangsu Soho Myanmar Industry garment factory employs around 1,000 workers and is Chinese-owned. It is located at the intersection of U Pho Hlaing Road and Twin Thin Taik Wun U Tun Nyo Road in Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. The factory manufacturing brands including LC Waikiki (LCW Vision) and Sinsay Men, according to workers.
