By Hsu Latt Phyu - Jul 07, 2025
Workers at NEW ZHONG HUI CO.,Ltd garment factory, located on Seikkan Thar Road in Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharya Township, Yangon, have filed complaints with the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), alleging workplace violations including excessive forced overtime and other labor rights abuses. They are seeking urgent intervention.
The factory is owned by Chinese citizens and employs over 700 workers, manufacturing shirts and winter wear for brands like RESERVED, Sinsay, and House.
A large number of child laborers aged between 14 and 16 are allegedly being employed as daily wage workers without medical clearance proving fitness for work. Workers also report that some are being unlawfully dismissed if not deemed “necessary,”, leading to losses and hardships.
Additionally, factory management is setting production targets higher than what is reasonably achievable. Each sewing line of about 40 workers is required to produce 30 pieces per hour, and those who fail to meet targets face verbal abuse and pressure.
“We are constantly called in for midnight and overnight overtime shifts and have no choice but to comply. Our grade bonuses are cut and we are verbally abused if we refuse the overtime the factory demands. Some workers have even been fired for not doing overtime. We’re working overtime until 10:30 PM or midnight. We work until 8 PM on Saturdays, which is affecting our health,” a worker stated.
The regular working hours run from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM, with a lunch break until 12:00 PM, and continue straight through to 10:00 PM without any rest breaks, workers said.
Moreover, workers report they are not granted legal entitlements such as casual leave or sick leave. Although social security contributions are deducted, they are not issued social security cards and are unable to access benefits, leading to further losses.
Up to 50,000 MMK was deducted in penalties including attendance bonus, support money, and daily wages if a worker misses a day of work, causing financial hardship.
Due to these violations, workers are experiencing significant losses and have called for a better and fairer workplace. They have outlined the following demands:
- Supervisors must not verbally abuse workers who cannot comply with midnight or overnight overtime shifts demanded by the employer.
- Employers must stop imposing unrealistic production targets beyond workers’ capabilities.
- Employers must allow workers to enjoy their entitled casual and sick leave.
- Employers must stop unlawfully terminating daily wage workers.
- Foreign nationals in the workplace must not directly manage or control workers.
