Myo Thein
Jan 27, 2026
Workers say that the Tai Hong garment factory in the Wazayarda Industrial Zone has violated the EC contract and is forcing workers to sign disciplinary warning letters. Although an EC contract has been signed between the factory and the workers, workers say the factory is breaching the provisions included in the contract.
“We make mistakes at work. Mistakes can be fixed. But they say the garment is damaged and make the Cutting Department sign a letter. They force us to sign. It’s not in accordance with the contract,” a worker said.
According to Article (15) of the Employment Contract (EC) issued by the Ministry of Labour, disciplinary action must be carried out step by step in four stages: verbal warning, first written warning, second written warning, and signing of a written undertaking.
The validity period of a warning is six months under the contract provisions. If there is no further breach of discipline within six months from the date the warning is issued, that warning will automatically become void.
“This can be considered a minor offence. In the contract’s disciplinary rules, it is described as negligence or performing work carelessly without due attention. Incidents like this often happen because of excessive pressure,” said a labour rights expert.
It is also reported that workers at the Tai Hong garment factory are experiencing pressure and rights violations from foreign staff inside the workplace.
“There is extreme pressure at work. A Chinese supervisor secretly took photos of a senior female worker from behind and then called her in for questioning, accusing her of arguing. She was talking about work using hand gestures. That Chinese supervisor shouts a lot, shouting however he wants without even a translator. If a pregnant worker doesn’t meet the target, he shouts a lot as well,” workers said.
It is also reported that pregnant workers are not provided with comfortable seating and are told they must meet the same targets as others in order to receive equal wages.
It is understood that around 900 workers are employed at the Tai Hong garment factory.
