By Myo Thein - Jul 09, 2025
Workers at the West Wood garment factory say that no agreement has been reached despite multiple negotiations to demand equal wage increases, and the factory has responded that it will proceed with lawful compensation-based terminations.
“We’ve negotiated many times for equal wages. On the most recent occasion, the factory let us off at 4:30 PM. But the negotiation didn’t conclude. In the end, the factory said they would terminate us with compensation as per the law,” said one worker involved in the negotiation.
On July 7, around 100 non-sewing department workers at the factory began demanding equal wages. Although wages have been increased, there is still a difference of about 2,500 kyats in daily allowance between the sewing and non-sewing departments.
“The wage gap between sewing and other departments didn’t just start now—it existed even before the raise. It’s still unequal after the raise. We all work the same hours. It’s not only the sewing department that contributes to garment output. Other departments work together too. That’s why we’re asking for equal pay,” the workers said.
Currently, sewing workers receive between 10,000 kyats and 11,000 kyats in daily allowance, while non-sewing department workers receive only between 8,000 kyats and 9,000 kyats. The factory has threatened termination while wage negotiations remain unresolved, and it has announced a two-day closure without offering any resolution.
“It’s never closed like this before in the entire history of the factory. We’ve never left work at 4 PM. The factory start cutting hours or closing only when workers demand something. We can’t accept being discriminated against anymore,” said a female worker involved in the demand.
Workers are also calling for legally mandated leave entitlements to be respected, and for public holidays to be fully observed, without being forced to work and then given substitute days off.
“Out of all the leave types—casual leave, medical leave, earned leave, maternity leave—the factory only grants maternity leave. Some workers don’t even know these entitlements exist. They make us work on all public holidays and say we’ll get replacement leave, but then just close on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday is considered overtime, but they always call it substitute leave. They don’t even close for Martyrs’ Day, Independence Day, or other holidays. Only Sundays are off. They don’t even observe full moon days, which are culturally significant for Myanmar people. We’re asking them to comply with the law on this,” workers said.
West Wood garment factory is Korean citizen-owned and employs around 1,000 workers. The main products are Korean brands shirts and pants.
