By Myo Thein - Oct 24, 2025
Workers at Mayfair (Myanmar) Industry Co., Ltd. report experiencing wage-related violations, discriminatory treatment, and verbal abuse, according to testimonies shared with Myanmar Labour News.
Workers say that although the factory provides a standard daily wage of 10,000 MMK, only 8,000 MMK is paid during public and government holidays. “There’s no justification for this. The usual day rate is 10,000 MMK, but we get only 8,000 MMK on public holidays. To put it plainly, this is a clear violation of the law,” one worker said.
Citing “low workload,” the factory reportedly shuts down operations on Saturdays and Sundays without pay. Workers are then made to compensate for these unpaid days by working on alternate weekends. “Now they say there's not enough work, so they give us the weekend off but we don’t get paid. Then we have to work in exchange the next Saturday. No pay for the day we rest, and also no pay for the makeup day,” another worker explained.
Labour activists have pointed out that under the Payment of Wages Act, Factories Act, and other relevant legislation, employers are obligated to pay full or prorated wages even when unable to provide work.
All employees are entitled to paid public holidays according to the Leave and Holidays Act of 1951. Workers must be paid the legally mandated overtime rate if required to work on such days.
Workers also say they are subject to unfair piece-rate wage calculations and discriminatory treatment based on personal relationships with supervisors in addition to wage issues. “If a team leader likes us, we get more money. If not, they cut our pay or reduce our piece rate,” workers claimed.
Supervisors are also accused of regularly using harsh language and verbal abuse in the workplace. One team leader’s comment was reported as particularly damaging to workers’ dignity. “She yelled at us, using phrases like ‘b*tch’ and even told some girls ‘You’re pregnant without even having a husband,’” a worker shared.
Such treatment, according to a current Code of Conduct (CoC) officer, violates basic workplace ethics and human rights. “These types of remarks severely affect workers’ mental well-being. This is clear workplace bullying. It’s the responsibility of CoC staff, supervisors, managers, and worker representatives to prevent and address such issues. Employers must also be held accountable,” the officer stated.
Workers also allege that they are denied their annual service bonus, which by law must be paid once workers complete a year of service. Instead of calculating the bonus based on their full daily wage, workers are reportedly given a flat 68,000 MMK—and those who resign receive nothing at all.
According to Section 4 of the Leave and Holidays Act, employers are obligated to pay for any unused earned leave, even if a worker resigns or is dismissed. “If a worker resigns or is terminated, they are still legally entitled to receive payment for their unused leave,” a female labour rights activist said.
Mayfair (Myanmar) Industry Co., Ltd. is a Chinese citizen-owned garment factory located in Industrial Zone 2 of Dagon Seikkan Township. It currently employs over 750 workers and is known to manufacture the international fashion brand DEFACTO.
