Myo Thein
Feb 02, 2026
Workers say that the shoe factory owned by Baisheng Myanmar Industry Co., Ltd is not allowing pregnant workers to pay social security contributions. As a result, workers are concerned that they will lose their entitled benefits due to the inability to contribute to social security.
“One of my friends is pregnant. She was paying social security contributions before she took a break from work. When she returned to work, the factory stopped deducting social security contributions. Since she is no longer covered by social security, she cannot receive maternity leave benefits. They also did not issue her a social security card,” a worker said.
It is reported that the pregnant worker initially took a short break due to health conditions during early pregnancy and later returned to work at the factory. However, from the time she returned, the factory did not resume social security contributions. Although she works alongside other workers, some of her rights have reportedly been cut.
“She became unwell early in her pregnancy, so the supervisor told her to take a short break. When she returned, the factory no longer issued her an employee ID card. Even though she is classified as a skilled sewing worker, they did not provide the skill allowance. They said the Chinese female line leader instructed them not to give it. They said it was because she would leave once, she gave birth. She is still required to meet the same production targets and is assigned difficult operations. There is no accommodation or lighter work for her,” the worker said.
Workers also said that if they do not work overtime on Saturdays, the factory sends them home on subsequent days without overtime opportunities, only providing transportation expenses to return home.
“We won’t be allowed to do overtime afterward if we don’t work overtime on Saturday and return using a gate pass. If a line fails to meet targets, they are released late. If the ferry bus does not wait and we are left behind, the Chinese female line leader tells us to return home at our own expense,” a worker said.
According to workers, working conditions at the factory are poor. Drinking water and utility water are mixed together, and workers must purchase cleaning supplies with their own money.
“The drinking water is not clean and smells muddy. When drinking water runs out, they connect it to the toilet water pipe and supply it. Toilets are constantly overflowing and unhygienic. Even brooms and trash bins have to be bought with our own money,” a worker said.
Workers also reported wage deductions for arriving late at work, unlawful dismissals, and said that the Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC) does not take action to address these workplace issues.
“They deduct 1,000 kyats if we arrive about five minutes late. If we make a mistake at work, there is no warning system they dismiss us immediately. Since the WCC does not resolve these issues, we have lost our rights and are left without help,” a worker said.
Baisheng Myanmar Industry Co., Ltd Shoe Factory is located beside the Yangon–Pathein main road, Htantabin Township, Yangon Region, and is manufacturing HI-TEC brand hiking shoes.
