By Min Ni Kyaw - Apr 29, 2025
Workers at Mai Yi Bei Garment Manufacturing Co. Ltd have reported wage losses due to unresolved discrepancies in overtime hours and favoritism by supervisors, with no accountability from factory management.
“The overtime hours we clock out with don’t match what the employer records, and they never resolve it even after working full days throughout the month. There’s no one we can raise this with. They said they’d provide a 10,000 kyats support payment, but it’s not fully included when we get our salaries. They didn’t explain anything clearly when we asked the office. On top of that, they deduct 40,000 to 60,000 kyats if we miss even one day,” workers said.
They added that they are made to work continuous overtime, currently staying as late as 7:30 PM. Factory management does not allow necessary leave or breaks, and favoritism by supervisors is reportedly causing further wage disparities.
“One person does the same job, produces the same output, but they earn about 100,000 kyats more if they get along with the supervisors or are close to them. There’s discrimination everywhere. Even in the canteen, there aren’t enough tables, and HR does nothing about it. Worse, even after working more than six months, we’re not given EC contracts,” a worker said.
Workers also stated that legal entitlements are being denied, with 10,000 kyats deducted for any day missed and no regular bonus given. They also reported that underage workers, aged 14 to 16, are being made to work equally hard.
“There are over 50 young workers aged 14 to 16 being employed. Daily wage workers only get the base wage. They receive no regular bonus, no support payments, and nothing for Sundays,” workers claimed.
Mai Yi Bei Garment Manufacturing Co. Ltd is reportedly Chinese national-owned and employs around 1,200 workers. Despite repeated complaints from workers about violations, these issues persist, according to the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
The factory, which has faced continued allegations of labor violations, is located on Padauk Road, Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon, and manufactures brands such as GIORDANO and RESERVED.
