By Myo Thein - Jul 21, 2025

Labour rights advocates say they are continuing efforts to secure social security compensation for a garment factory machine maintenance worker who died while working early morning overtime. The deceased has been identified as 28-year-old Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw, who was employed at HKW Hyatt Knitwear Co., Ltd.

“At the factory, night shifts go until 11:00 PM His wife also works at the same factory. She went home in the morning and returned to find Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw had already passed away. The factory did provide funeral support. But they claim he hadn't completed six months at the factory, so he’s not eligible for social security compensation. However, he’s been contributing to social security since 2018. We are working to ensure this is processed,” said a labour rights advocate.

Workers say they are required to do night or early morning overtime often sleep inside the factory premises due to a curfew in Hlaingtharyar Township. Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw died at the workplace. The factory is still responsible for arranging his social security compensation despite claims that he hadn’t yet worked six months, advocates said.

“His role involved staying back whenever the sewing lines did overtime. So, he had to sleep at the workplace. The factory has been assigning night shifts for a while now. The factory must handle social security responsibilities regardless of length of service,” the advocate added.

Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw was a father of a two year old son and the sole breadwinner for his family. He was well known among workers as “A Shay Gyi” for his tall build and friendly nature. He had been on night shifts for more than 10 days. His wife, who worked the same shift, had returned home after finishing early morning overtime, and only later learned of his passing. He was last seen using his phone around 3:00 AM, coworkers said.

“The hospital said it was heart failure. His blood pressure dropped. He’d become quite thin since he had to sleep and eat wherever or whatever possible at the factory during night shifts. He had a lot of overtime responsibilities being a mechanic,” said a family friend.

HKW Hyatt Knitwear Co., Ltd is located at the intersection of Than Lwin Road and Ayeyar Road, Industrial Zone 5, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. The factory produces women’s clothing and is currently undergoing expansion. Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw died in the new extension building, according to coworkers.

A Yet Le merit and Buddhist service were held on the morning of July 21, at the dormitory on Sagawa Street, Ward 15, Hlaingtharyar Township, where Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw had been living.

His ashes have been taken back to his hometown by his parents, and his wife has since resigned from the factory, workers said.