Myo Thein
February 6, 2026
#Letter
Factory management personnel bring their friends, acquaintances, and associates into the workplace. They then walk through the production lines, moving from one line to another, watching female workers while they are working. After observing them, they make proposals for marriage. This has already happened four times.
The most recent incident occurred on January 24 and 25, 2026. On those days, Chinese individuals from outside were brought into the factory. These individuals were brought in through connections with the factory, the factory manager, or other responsible persons.
Those Chinese individuals walked through the production lines and looked at Myanmar female workers. When they reached a girl they liked, they told each other that they liked her. There is a Chinese woman in the factory who speaks fluent Myanmar, and she acts as an interpreter.
The Chinese men sit directly in front of the female worker they like and watch her while she works until she agrees to their proposal. After coming on January 24 and 25, they continued to sit and watch the workplace of the women they liked until February 3, 2026.
Only after the female worker agreed to the proposal and said that they would formally ask permission from her parents and marry if the parents agreed, did they finally leave according to Myanmar customs.
Such behavior by the factory causes fear and shame among female workers. The factory treats female workers as if they are goods displayed at a market. They allow people to come and look at the women, and if someone likes them, they pressure and approach them at the workplace in a humiliating manner.
It is reported that supervisors and leaders in the factory are also involved in these actions. It is said that they receive matchmaking fees from the Chinese men. For their own benefit, supervisors and leaders deceive and persuade the women the Chinese men like by using false statements. Taking advantage of women’s difficult economic situations, they say things such as: “The bride price is not small,” “You don’t need to care about other people,” “When you are starving, no one feeds you,” and “There is no need to care about anyone else,” in order to persuade them to accept the Chinese men.
Factory workers are unable to openly speak out about these actions of factory authorities due to various circumstances.
Not only do factory authorities fail to protect female workers, but they also allow women to be viewed and selected like merchandise, leading to harassment and violence against women. We strongly request effective action against factory authorities and those who participate in false persuasion and coercion.
Jafon (Jetphone Handbag Company Limited) factory is located near Great Number Compound, at Plot No. (3), Bago Industrial Zone, Nagawon Road. It is owned by a Chinese citizen and employs approximately 400 workers. The factory manufacture handbags such as IPSY, GLAM BAG, and Gucci brands.
