By Min Ni Kyaw - Apr 29, 2025
#Open Letter
I would like to report on the situation at SDI garment factory. The hardships faced by the workers have become extremely severe.
We were forced to work in lieu of holidays during Thingyan. Management required substitute workdays for April 13 and 14. Only if these days were worked, they said, would the workers be paid for the 10-day Thingyan holiday. This threat forced workers to work two additional days.
That’s not all. Workers were told they would be dismissed at noon on April 5, the payday for March salaries, which fell on a Saturday. Instead, they were forced to work until 4:30 p.m. No overtime pay was provided for these extra hours. The employer forced workers to sign an acknowledgment stating these hours would be counted as holiday substitution.
Workers are also facing excessive production quotas. A single sewing line of around 30 people is required to complete over 50 pieces per hour—sewing items like trousers and jeans. When these targets are not met, supervisors shout and scold. Although all workers do the same tasks, those favored by supervisors receive higher pay, and discrimination is common.
Employees don’t know what legal leave entitlements are. If worker requests leave due to health issues, the HR manager simply says, “No leave is granted at this factory.” As a result, workers are forced to take unpaid leave and face deductions. For each absence, 7,800 kyats in daily wages and 30,000 kyats in attendance bonus pay are cut. Skills bonuses are also deducted, leaving workers losing up to 40,000 kyats for taking leave.
There are over 30 underage child workers employed as day laborers in the factory. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that they are working without medical clearance. These children are assigned the same tasks as adult workers. They are not appointed as permanent staff even after three months.
Workers are increasingly concerned with heavy rains starting in Yangon. The factory toilets are not covered properly, and water supply to the toilets has been cut. Workers now fear having to use unsanitary facilities in the rain. This is why I feel the need to continue reporting on the factory conditions.
(#Information: SDI Manufacturing Co., Ltd is a garment factory located on No. (3) Street, Ngwe Pin Lae Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. It reportedly employs over 1,000 workers.)
