By Min Ni Kyaw - Jun 04, 2025
It has been found by Myanmar Labour News that Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd. garment factory has been providing support funds to members of the Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC) and organizing them.
The support fund began in August 2024, and it has been discovered with evidence that three members of the WCC received 300,000 kyats each per month, totaling 900,000 kyats monthly.
In the contract for the support fund, it was written that they must resolve labour issues and mediate fairly between workers and employers.
Moreover, the three WCC members signed an agreement to prevent the formation of labour unions and to strengthen the WCC.
The three WCC members who signed the contract were identified as U Phyo Aung, U Sandar Lin, and U Htet Ko.
The WCC members, who received not only wages but also support from the employer, followed the instructions of the factory authorities and coerced workers. Workers reported that they were forced to sign reprimand letters, lunchboxes were seized under the excuse of rule violations, and those who didn’t retrieve them had to go without lunch.
Additionally, workers said that some workers including pregnant and daily wage workers were dismissed from their jobs with involvement from the three WCC members.
“A key person responsible was the deputy factory manager and a female interpreter. Everything she ordered was carried out,” said a former factory worker.
The WCC members were elected in 2024 to represent workers and facilitate coordination at the workplace.
However, despite being elected, the WCC members received support funds from the factory.
Later, workers reported that the WCC members themselves violated workers' rights.
Workers repeatedly requested re-election of the WCC members due to these violations, but the factory and employer did not permit it, according to workers.
Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd garment factory is a Chinese national-owned factory located on Mingyi Maha Min Khaung Road, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaingthaya Township. The factory currently employed around 900 factory workers and is manufacturing the ONLY and BESTSELLER brands.
