Myo Thein
Feb 25, 2026
Workers at the Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd garment factory say they are facing increased expenses due to inadequate ferry arrangements after working overtime. The factory reportedly requires three hours of overtime daily, with workers returning home at around 7:30 p.m.
“Some workers live very far away. We have to rely on the ferry vehicles. But the ferry no longer drops us off at our usual stops. We are dropped far from where we need to get off. By the time the ferry reaches the drop-off point, it is already around 9 p.m. With no time left, we have to hire motorcycle taxis or trishaws. About half of our overtime pay is spent on transportation,” a worker said.
Workers told the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that when they were hired, the factory said ferry transportation would be provided, but no proper arrangements were made for designated areas.
“The factory said it would provide ferry service once a certain number of workers was reached. No arrangements were made for the designated area even when that number was met. The manager does not help resolve the issue. The factory gives 15,000 kyats to one worker and tells them to negotiate with a driver, but that does not work well with other workers. Nothing is resolved even when workers report the issue to the factory and the WCC,” an IWFM official said.
Workers also said they face difficulties in collecting their wages and entitlements if they resign.
“We have to give one week’s notice and submit a salary transfer letter if we resign. But we cannot give advance notice if we have to resign urgently. The factory does not provide the authorization letter needed to collect wages if we can only give one day’s notice. Our families cannot withdraw the salary owed to us. The factory is unfairly withholding workers’ wages,” a worker said.
In addition to losing wages due to sudden resignation, workers said the factory does not reimburse the 1,000 kyats meal allowance for overtime worked.
Workers also alleged favoritism in the allocation of grade bonuses. The factory has stated that higher grades will be given to workers who can sew point operations, negotiate with supervisors and line leaders, and have fewer absences. However, workers say there is bias in implementation.
“Those who met the criteria get it after three months. But even if someone has fewer years of service and is skilled, or someone at a lower grade can sew at higher-grade levels, they do not receive promotion. Those close to supervisors and line leaders, or workers they bring in, are given the easiest sewing tasks with small points but are awarded the highest grades,” workers said.
Workers further said their mobile phones are confiscated during working hours, leading to damage and personal losses.
“We asked to be allowed to keep our phones nearby so that if a call comes, the supervisor could answer. That was not allowed. Instead, we were told to give the supervisor’s phone number. But supervisors are busy how can they answer every call? There have been cases where family emergencies were not responded to in time. Because the factory does not manage this properly, workers suffer,” workers said.
Workers also raised safety concerns over the factory’s narrow exit gates, saying disputes occur as workers crowd together when leaving. They warned that in the event of a natural disaster, injuries could occur.
“When buyers came for audits, we told them to repair the main gates, but nothing was fixed. The factory only opens the gates slightly. When we finish work and exit, we bump into each other and step on each other’s feet, leading to arguments and fights. The gate wheels are damaged. In an emergency, we could become trapped,” a worker said.
Workers said that although they were hired as general workers, they are being assigned duties unrelated to the factory’s operations.
“General workers are supposed to close containers, load shipments, or assist on production lines as needed. But now we are made to clean toilet drains, paint factory walls, and clear garbage around the compound. These tasks were not part of the job description when we were hired,” they said.
Workers said they continue to suffer losses due to ineffective mediation by the factory’s Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC).
Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd is located on Mingyi Maha Minghaung Road, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon, and is reportedly owned by Chinese citizens. The factory employs around 900 workers and currently produces garments for the brands ONLY, Pimkie, FIRST DOWN, JaVa, a.v.v, niko and…, and Field Gear Club.
