By Hsu Latt Phyu - May 21, 2025
Workers at Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) garment factory are continuing to demand wage increases and related improvements, according to sources from the factory.
The demands began on the afternoon of May 19, with workers staging a work stoppage to call for higher basic wages.
As of now, the workers are peacefully striking, and personnel in civilian outfits visited the factory and collected personal information of leading workers involved in the movement on May 21.
Dishang Fashion (Myanmar) Co., Ltd is a Chinese national-owned garment factory located on Min Gyi Maha Min Khaung Road, Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. The factory employs around 900 workers and manufactures ONLY and Bestseller brands.
According to workers, there is no established trade union at the factory — only a WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee) formed by the employer.
Working hours at the factory run from 7:30 AM to 7:20 PM, including 3.5 hours of mandatory overtime. Workers reported having to work overtime even on Sundays, without proper rest days.
The current wage breakdown includes a basic salary of 4,800 kyats, a subsidy of 2,000 kyats, and a hardship allowance of 3,200 kyats — totaling 10,000 kyats. Overtime is paid at 2,100 kyats per hour. Skilled worker pay is set at 500 kyats per day for A4 grade, 700 for A3, 1,100 for A2, and 1,600 for A1.
Workers say the wages are insufficient for basic living expenses despite working long hours without rest. This has led to the May 19 work stoppage and demands for better pay.
“WCC worker representatives said they would negotiate on behalf of workers who are not involved in the strike. This kind of tactic is aimed at dividing the striking workers,” a worker explained, adding that WCC members are acting under instructions from the factory management.
WCC representatives participated in the discussions as worker delegates during the May 21 negotiation meeting. However, workers said they want discussions to involve representatives they genuinely trust.
The workers’ demands are to raise the basic wage to 15,000 kyats, increase the attendance bonus to 20,000 kyats, raise skill-based bonuses by 1,000 kyats per grade, set clear and consistent production targets, provide legal entitlements, end discriminatory treatment by supervisors, pay 1,000 kyats allowances every 15 days.
