By Myo Thein - Aug 30, 2025
Workers at PK Myanmar garment factory in Bago Township have reported that a protest broke out due to attempts to forcibly relocate their workplace. According to workers, they raised objections on August 29 in the afternoon, demanding not to be transferred to different work areas.
“We started protesting right after lunch. We don’t accept being moved. The factory wants to reduce workforce and is assigning us to tasks we’re not skilled in, trying to push workers into resigning,” they said.
Workers explained that the factory attempted to transfer employees from the upper floor to the ground floor under the pretext of production needs. But since the work on the ground floor requires different skills, workers believe the transfers are a tactic to pressure them into quitting.
“Around 300 workers are involved in the protest. They’re cutting back operations and pushing workers downstairs to do work that’s not the same. We don’t accept being pressured to quit. They should pay proper compensation according to the law if they want to reduce staff,” workers said.
The matter was discussed with the WCC and factory management, but no resolution was reached. Workers said the female production manager also pressured and verbally abused some of them who joined the protest.
“We had a discussion with the factory around 2:00 PM, and they said they’d need to negotiate. We told them we’ll continue protesting during the negotiation period. The production manager pressured some workers in the department, telling them if they want to keep working, they must move downstairs. She also insulted those of us protesting,” the workers added.
The factory is said to be a two-story backpack manufacturing facility. The ground floor is used for sewing Coach handbags, while the upper floor produces LLB backpacks, workers explained.
“Initially, they transferred about 100 workers to the ground floor. Even though it’s the same factory, the sewing styles are different. It caused a lot of difficulties. Out of the 100 who were moved, most have quit. Now there aren’t even 10 left,” they said.
Workers stated that the factory responded by saying brand representatives would visit today, August 30, to help mediate. Workers also said they will continue their efforts until their demands are met.
The PK (PUNGKOOK Myanmar) garment factory is located in Bago City Bypass Road, Anaukmaekhone Village, Bago Township.
