Myo Thein
Feb 24, 2026
Workers at the Golden Propitious (Myanmar) Co., Ltd garment factory say they are being compelled to work overtime without being consulted, according to complaints submitted to the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
“Workers have to work overtime until 9 p.m., including all-night shifts. They are required to work on Sundays and public holidays without closure,” an IWFM official said.
Authorities had announced a six-day public holiday from February 12 to 17, during which most factories were closed. However, workers said the Golden Propitious garment factory closed for only one day.
“They only closed for one day. They called it overtime. They did not ask whether workers could come in. There was no request for signatures. We have to come whenever the factory calls,” workers said.
It is unclear whether the required permissions were obtained for extended overtime and holiday overtime. Workers said they have been working without days off and are not receiving leave entitlements prescribed by law, resulting in health impacts.
“We have to work without holidays. We are not granted leave if we are unwell and cannot come to work. If we suddenly have a health issue and request a gate pass, we are scolded. As a result, many workers end up being marked absent without leave,” they said.
The factory reportedly hires a large number of daily-wage workers and often dismisses them once they complete three months of service.
“Some workers ask to remain on daily wages so they won’t be dismissed. Others have worked for a long time but are still kept as daily workers. The factory needs many workers, but it does not want to grant workers’ rights, so it keeps them on daily wages,” a worker said.
Workers also reported that factory-arranged ferry services are not punctual, forcing them to pay out of pocket to commute to work. They also said there are insufficient dining facilities.
There are reportedly no labor unions or Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC) established at the factory to address workers’ grievances.
Golden Propitious (Myanmar) Co., Ltd garment factory, owned by Chinese citizen, operates in the Thardukan Industrial Zone, Shwepyithar Township, Yangon. The factory employs more than 1,000 workers and is currently manufacturing SMOG jackets.
