By Yoon Sat - Apr 11, 2025

Golden Colour Fashion garment factory is pressuring its workers to sign forced declarations following allegations of physical abuse by the factory owner against a female worker, which led to loss of buyer orders, according to a statement from the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (STUM).

On the morning of April 8, supervisors, assistant supervisors, and other managerial staff were called in and pressured to sign a document using fingerprint signatures. The statement they were coerced into signing claimed that since arriving in Myanmar, the factory owner had been charitable and had never verbally or physically mistreated any workers. It also accused the dismissed female worker of creating numerous problems, stating that the factory had no choice but to let her go. The document additionally denied any group-based sexual harassment or abuse by the employer.

Some supervisors and assistant supervisors refused to sign the document. As a result, the factory owner reportedly threatened a second round of meetings, warning that failure to sign would lead to the loss of buyer orders, further intensifying the pressure.

The incident traces back to December 20, when the factory owner allegedly grabbed the female worker’s wrist roughly and dragged her out of the office, leading to her dismissal. STUM stated that the factory failed to present credible evidence supporting the accusations made against the female worker when the case was brought before the relevant authorities.

The act of pressuring other employees to sign false declarations aimed at discrediting the female worker was seen as a secondary act of harm toward the victim due to the lack of substantial evidence. STUM announced that it would formally record the misconduct of the Golden Colour Fashion factory owner and continue to provide legal support to the affected female worker.