By Min Ni Kyaw - Feb 27, 2025
Workers from New Zhong Hui Co., Ltd. garment factory report that they have been working without any days off for an entire month. The factory, owned by a Chinese national, operates in Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone on Seik Kan Thar Street in Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon, with over 600 workers.
“They don’t see workers as people, but as machines. We haven’t had a single day off for an entire month. We are forced to work overtime even on public holidays and Sundays. Our health is deteriorating due to the excessive working hours. The employer pressures us if we refuse to work overtime. They hold grudges and continue pressuring us the next day if we don’t comply,” workers said.
Although the factory’s official working hours are from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, workers say they are required to work overtime daily until 7:30 PM or 8:30 PM. They also report to the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that they are forced to work night shifts throughout the week and are not given any breaks on overtime days.
“Our break times are at 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM for meals, but after the 12:30 PM break, we have to work continuously without a break until 7:30 or 8:30 PM. There is no HR manager at the factory. The production manager is a woman, and she is the one controlling and pressuring workers. She treats us carelessly and speaks to us disrespectfully. She scolds us even for going to the toilet, drinking water, or talking. The toilets are so filthy that the smell reaches the dining area. It’s unbearable to eat in such conditions,” workers said.
The factory, which produces clothing under the Sinsay brand, does not have a Workplace Coordinating Committee (WCC). Workers also report that they are hired as daily wage laborers and are threatened with termination if they do not get along with the supervisors.
"Daily wage workers receive 6,800 kyats for basic pay and skill pay, with an overtime rate of 1,700 kyats. Helpers receive 6,600 kyats for basic and skill pay, and only 1,500 kyats for overtime. On Saturdays, they must complete a full 8-hour shift to earn 6,800 kyats. On Sundays, they don’t receive overtime pay. The factory differentiates between daily wage and monthly wage workers. They don’t issue us ECs (Employment Contracts) and terminate employees without distinction between daily and monthly wage workers, without any severance pay,” workers explained.
Workers at New Zhong Hui Co., Ltd. say they are denied their legal entitlements. They are fined 20,000 kyats and have their attendance bonuses deducted for taking a leave. Their movement is restricted during work hours, and despite contributing to the social security scheme, about half of the workers have not received their social security cards. Additionally, underage workers are reportedly employed without medical certification, working under the same conditions as adult workers.
