By Myo Thein - Sep 16, 2025
#Letter
An ownership change occurred after the factory delayed wage payments in May.
We are very concerned about the change in ownership. In 2023, workers were laid off across entire lines when ownership was transferred previously. Those with less than 2 years of service were not compensated with any benefits. Since we are long-serving workers, we are worried that we may be terminated without severance pay under similar circumstances again. The factory has not been transparent and has not clearly communicated about this issue.
Children aged 14 and 15 are being forced to work under pressure by Mr. Kevin To, the General Manager of both factories, and the two factory managers, under the excuse that the factory urgently needs to meet container shipment schedules and complete garment production. They were told not to come to work and to stay home during the 2-day LPP audit (representing the brand). Those who had to come to work were hidden inside the toilet.
40 to 45 workers at Factory (2), and about 30 workers at Factory (1), were marked as absent without pay. We were told this is how the factory recorded the days. The audit team entered Factory (1) first, and Factory (2) will be audited two months later.
Those aged 16 or 17 are sometimes employed as salaried staff, while those aged 14 or 15 are hired on a daily wage basis.
These child laborers are made to work for three months, then given a week off, and then made to work for another three months in a cycle.
One worker from the iron section who had been working continuously on a daily wage basis without any explanation was suddenly told in this week to stop working .
The main difference between daily wage workers and permanent employees is that daily wage workers do not receive leave days or any associated benefits. They also do not have access to social security.
The factory has only once converted daily wage workers into salaried staff—when the labor office came to inspect and the factory was forced to do so.
Most general workers have been working for years under daily wage conditions. Kevin has refused, stating clearly that such changes will not be made although they have requested to be transitioned into salaried positions.
The factory working hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM. From 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Saturdays. Workers work from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM on Sundays. They usually have to work two to three Sundays per month. Only two days off are given per month.
The current brands being produced at the factory include LPP, Sinsay, Amisu, Defacto, and Punt Roma. They also fulfill Japanese orders.
Myanmar Jiale Fashion has two factories, named Myanmar Jiale (1) and (2). Myanmar Jiale (1) employs around 1,000 workers, while Factory (2) has over 800 employees.
Myanmar Jiale (1) is located in No. 13, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Min Ayar Road, Hlaingtharyar Township. Myanmar Jiale (2) is located at No. 44, Bhamo Atwinwun Road, Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone.
