Hanthar Hein
Pressure to dismantle a trade union has occurred at Bontech garment factory, located at No. (87/88), Padamyar Road, Thadu Kan Industrial Zone, Shwepyithar Township, Yangon Region, according to the Shwepyithar Township Garment Workers’ Organization.
Bontech is a garment factory producing for the Vizwell and SIN GER brands. It is reported that the factory manager and HR manager have been exerting pressure to dismantle the trade union.
According to available information, the Bontech Basic Garment Workers’ Organization was officially registered and recognized by the Ministry of Labor on February 17, 2025, under registration number Shwepyithar/Garment/Basic (26/2025).
However, on December 16, 2025, the factory’s HR manager reportedly told workers inside the factory that the labor organization had already been dissolved. The factory manager also stated that the labor organization would not be recognized.
In addition, through the managers, workers were informed that the head of the Shwepyithar Township Department of Labor had said the organization was not legal until a reply was received from Naypyitaw.
As this action constitutes a violation of Section 50(a) of the Labor Organization Law, the chairperson of the Bontech Garment Workers’ Organization has submitted a formal complaint to the Ministry of Labor in Naypyitaw, requesting action to be taken.
It was also reported that the factory first dismissed a total of six workers—five union EC members and one WCC member under the pretext of a phone-related issue.
Regarding this matter, Daw Myo Myo Aye from STUM stated, “Only the EC members were dismissed from work. The registration of the labor organization itself cannot be revoked.”
At present, the township garment workers’ organization said they are closely watching how authorities will respond to this complaint against the employer. This is because the township labor department head has previously been reported in the media as someone who pressured employers to arrest and prosecute STUM members.
It is also reported that the Ministry of Labour has submitted cases under Section 50(1) of the Labour Organization Law to prosecute not only Bontech factory owners but also the owners of GYSEN and Chu Yang factories. However, despite more than a year having passed, there has been no response or action taken by the authorities.
Bontech garment factory is known to be manufacturing the China-based Vizwell brand and the SIN GER brand.
