By Hsu Latt Phyu - Jul 31, 2025
Workers at Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd., a Chinese citizen-owned garment factory located in Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone on Min Gyi Maha Min Kaung Road, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon Region, have raised concerns about being assigned to unfamiliar tasks and departments, which they say has led to injuries. They are calling on the employer to take responsibility in such cases.
The factory reportedly employs over 900 workers and manufactures brands such as ONLY, BESTSELLER, PIMKIE, and FIRST DOWN.
According to workers, the factory told officials that workers were granted full-paid leave in last week during an inspection visit when a boiler breakdown occurred. In reality, they said, workers were sent to other factory branches to do ironing work. Those who refused were threatened with dismissal. When finishing departments have less work, those workers are reassigned to other sections like timming or snapping. Injuries often happen since we’re not trained for those jobs,” one worker explained.
Workers are asking the employer to avoid assigning them to departments outside of their expertise and to refrain from coercion or threats. They are also urging the factory to cover medical treatment if workplace injuries occur.
“In June, we requested a wage increase of 12,000 kyats, but only received 11,000. Previously, we were allowed a 15-minute break before starting overtime, but now we have to rest 30 minutes on our own time. We agreed to a compromise based on promised benefits instead of full pay, but now those benefits have been reduced,” the worker added.
Workers have submitted their complaints to the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM), urging the employer to improve working conditions and refrain from abusive practices.
“They said we’d be given shirts and headbands and required to wear pants starting August 1, replacing longyis for male workers. But pants were not included when uniforms were distributed. They said anyone not wearing pants would face action under EC rules. They should provide it if they want us to wear it. Ironing areas often get dangerously hot and so inconvenient but WCC representatives have not addressed worker concerns on the matter,” said a worker.
Workers’ demands are:
- Restore the 15-minute break before overtime as previously provided.
- Withdraw the order requiring pants without providing them, and allow the current uniform (shirt and headband) to be worn.
- Stop assigning workers to unfamiliar departments or transferring them to other factories without consent, and cease all threats and pressure.
- Take full responsibility for workplace-related injuries and provide medical care as needed.
