Myo Thein
Workers at the JOC garment factory say that after seven days of demanding the restoration of their original wage levels following the factory’s operational transition, no agreement has been reached, and the factory’s reopening now faces an uncertain situation.
“Although there have been talks, the situation now feels like the factory is being shut down or operations are being suspended,” a female worker at the factory told Myanmar Labour News.
Workers said the factory has already removed all raw materials, leaving only sewing machines and basic production equipment inside the premises.
“All fabrics and raw materials have been taken out of the factory. We could say only the production lines are left. There is nothing else inside. Since negotiations are no longer progressing, the situation has become very uncertain,” another worker said.
While officials from the township labour department have said they are holding negotiations with the factory owners, workers reported that no clear information has been communicated to them, leading to growing concern.
“They say the factory owner has changed, they say the labour office has called for meetings, but HR is saying nothing. There is nothing clear. We don’t know whether we will be paid or not. We even hear that wages may be deducted,” a worker said.
Last month, the factory changed its name from COSTEC Garment Factory to JOC and had been producing garments for brands such as LC Waikiki, X Shelter, ZERO STAGE, and Colopuca, according to workers.
Following the name change, workers said their original wages were reduced by more than 150,000 Kyats, which led them to submit formal demands.
During the course of these demands, officials from the labour office led negotiations, holding four rounds of talks within seven days. However, the situation has since deteriorated into uncertainty without a resolution.
The JOC garment factory is located in Myataung Wun Gyi U Mho Road, Shwepyitha Industrial Zone (3), Yangon, and employs around 1,000 workers, according to available information.
