By Myo Thein - Jun 26, 2025
Workers at (Myanmar) Fala Fala Clothing garment factory say they are being forced to work midnight and overnight overtime shifts up to four times a week, in addition to three hours of regular daily overtime. They said the midnight overtime shifts is up to 1 a.m. and the overnight overtime is up to 5 a.m.
“We’re made to work midnight and overnight overtime shifts at least twice a week, and up to four times. We normally get off at 7:30 p.m. every day. We only get a 30-minute lunch break. We resume work at 12:30 p.m. and work straight through to 7:30 p.m. with no rest time. We don’t get to rest until 8 p.m.on midnight overnight shifts day,” they said.
The regular working hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to workers. However, they said that factory officials warn that they will deduct the attendance bonus if they try to leave the factory after normal hours at 4 p.m. using their gate pass. Workers said they are not getting any rest dayssince they also have to work on Sundays twice a week.
“We can’t go back home if it’s an overnight shift, —we just sleep wherever we can. They arrange transport overnight shifts. We work until 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. There’s no break time, even to have snacks. We can’t endure it anymore. We’re exhausted. We go straight back to work after lunch. We get scolded for not meeting production targets. We can only go to the toilet once all day. Our families don’t even believe what we’re going through anymore. Some of my friends could only eat properly when they get home during these turmoil times,” one worker said.
The Ministry of Labour has instructed that any factory wishing to assign overtime work must first obtain official permission. That permit must be visibly posted inside the factory for workers to see. Overtime must not exceed 20 hours per week, and violations may result in imprisonment or fines.
Workers also said the factory lacks an emergency medical clinic and nurses. The factory is two stories high, and during the rainy season, the heat becomes unbearable. Workers are scolded if production targets are not met, and bonuses or wage increases are determined solely by supervisors.
“The supervisors each got paid 50,000 kyats that day. Workers didn’t get anything, even though we’re the ones actually doing the work. Our salaries aren’t being raised. They just pay us 6,800 kyats on holidays,” they said.
According to workers, the factory pays a daily wage of 10,000 kyats, pays 2,100 kyats per hour for overtime, and gives 40,000 kyats as an attendance bonus. Workers are released early and not made to work overnight if inspection teams were to come that day.
“The inspectors inspect for a day only. The next day, we’re back to overnight shifts. We don’t even know who to report to. There’s no WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee). Drinking water is mixed with water from the pipe used for washing hands and feet. We can’t tell what’s safe to drink. Also, there’s no roof in that area. Everything gets soakedwhen it rains,” one worker said.
(Myanmar) Fala Fala Clothing Co., Ltd is located on Myo Road, Thadukan Industrial Zone, Shwepyithar Township, and employs around 2,000 workers.
