By Min Ni Kyaw - May 10, 2025
Workers at the Suntime JCK garment factory, located on Thanchatwun U Nyunt Street, Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone 2, are staging a work stoppage protest, objecting to the appointment of a supervisor who they say is mistreating employees.
“That supervisor only talks about money for everything. Whatever the issue, it’s always threats of warnings, deductions, or pay cuts. They forces anyone who was just drinking water on the sewing line to sign a warning. That’s why we’re not accepting them. We’ve stopped work so the factory will reassess the situation,” workers explained.
According to the workers, the supervisor was initially hired about three months ago as a brand quality inspector before being promoted to factory supervisor, a decision they have opposed since the beginning.
“We complained to the office about them from the start. They’re constantly pressuring workers—watching every move, finding fault even when there is none, making sarcastic remarks. Workers are under intense stress. We reported it to HR, but the factory didn’t act. That’s why around 10 sewing lines have stopped work in protest,” they said.
Myanmar Labour News received reports that, in response to the protest, factory management stated that those not working will not be paid, and they also said the supervisor assigned by the factory owner will not be replaced.
“This started on the 8th of May, and we officially stopped work on the 9th. The factory says they can’t change the person the owner appointed. They’re also saying we won’t be paid if we don’t work—basically a threat,” a worker shared.
Workers say the factory’s WCC (Workplace Coordinating Committee) is biased and simply echoes management’s stance, making it difficult for workers to accept any negotiations. They also noted that the daily wage is only 5,800 kyats, and it doesn’t exceed 10,000 kyats even with all additional benefits.
“We’re not even demanding a pay raise like other factories. We just can’t work with this supervisor. The workplace will become unbearable if we continue. The environment was already oppressive even before they became supervisor. We won’t even have the strength to stay if it gets worse,” they said.
Protesting workers have tried to report the situation to the township labour office for mediation, but claim that the factory has obstructed their efforts.
