Myo Thein
Feb 27, 2026
Workers at the Delo Myanmar garment factory say that line supervisors are deducting excess amounts from their wages. In addition to these deductions, workers told the Industrial’ Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that separate fees are being collected under the pretext of medical expenses.
“They take all the extra money from our pay envelopes. They also collect 2,000 kyats per worker for medical fees at the end of every month. We have no choice but to give it even if we don’t want to pay,” a worker said.
There are around 30 workers on each production line, and the medicines purchased reportedly consist only of painkillers and digestive tablets. Workers also said that supervisors are selling goods inside the workplace and showing favoritism.
“They collect money to buy medicine, but they have never shown us any accounts. The supervisor says they’ve increased the grade fees and forces us to buy the products they sell every month. Those who buy what they want receive favoritism. They are assigned higher-paying sewing points and others are made to help them. The ones who help receive nothing. We end up sewing a lot but get paid very little for the pieces,” a worker said.
Despite the alleged exploitation by supervisors, workers say the overseer and HR manager have not taken any action or imposed any restrictions. They also report being required to work continuously until overtime hours are completed and to continue working late into the night.
“They hold meetings for 10 minutes out of our 30-minute lunch break. We have to work continuously after lunch. Then they make us work again until midnight,” a worker said.
Workers say that supervisors refuse to issue gate passes for them to leave at 4:30 p.m when they are unwell and unable to work overtime. They also allege that supervisors and overseers unfairly scold them over production targets and monitor workers who go to the restroom.
“They follow us around so closely that we’re afraid to even go to the toilet. We don’t get casual leave or medical leave. they mark it as absence and deduct 11,500 kyats for daily wages and 40,000 kyats for attendance bonuses,” a worker said.
More than 500 workers are employed at the Delo Myanmar garment factory, which is located on Min Ayar Road, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. Workers say the factory manufactures women’s underwear and is owned by Chinese citizen.
