By Myo Thein - Oct 27, 2025
Workers at the Chinese citizen-owned Golden Five Myanmar Co.,Ltd garment factory report being forced to work overtime without pay when daily production targets are unmet, according to complaints submitted to the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
The factory operates from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with workers saying they are paid less on official holidays and compelled to work two hours of unpaid overtime if they fail to meet the company’s high production standards.
“We get 10,500 kyats per day including base and attendance bonus. But on factory holidays, they only pay 9,000. We have to work two more hours of overtime for free if we don't meet the quotas. The supervisors verbally abuse and threaten us if we refuse,” one worker said.
The factory reportedly assigns 35–40 workers per sewing line to produce jeans and shirts. Workers said they are forced to meet hourly targets of 200 pieces per line an unrealistic figure, they say, that leads to excessive pressure and punishment.
When lines are occasionally released without overtime, transportation is only arranged for workers living far away, while others must find their own way home.
Workers also report being denied access to legally entitled leave, such as emergency and medical leave.
“They don’t let us take leave even when we’re sick or have urgent issues. We lose 10,500 kyats in wages and allowance, plus another 40,000 kyats from our attendance bonus if we miss work without approval. We’ve been told we can’t take leave unless we’ve completed three months,” said one worker.
While some workers have signed Employment Contracts (ECs), they claim the factory has never provided them with a copy. The majority of workers are on daily wages, and even after completing three months, they are not formally employed as permanent staff.
“There’s so much pressure and forced labour that workers don’t stay long,” workers said.
Sanitary conditions are also poor. Workers say the toilets often have no running water in the mornings, creating health risks.
Golden Five Myanmar Co.,Ltd employs over 600 workers and is located on Myakyunthar Road, in Mya Sein Yaing Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. It is currently manufacturing the CLIQU brand.
