By Hsu Latt Phyu - May 27, 2025

Over 1,000 employees from the GTIG Guohua Glory garment factory, located in the Wataya Industrial Zone in Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon Region, began a work stoppage on May 23 to demand an increase in their basic daily wage to 13,000 kyats, overtime pay to 3,000 kyats, and a heat resistance allowance to 60,000 kyats.

In response to these demands, on May 24, U Soe Lwin—representing the Industrial Zone Management Committee and the Arbitration Council—visited the factory and relayed a message from the employer. The factory announced that only 10,500 kyats would be paid as the basic wage, and there would be no more overtime assignments if 13,000 kyats were to be paid.

The announcement also stated that since the workers had halted operations, their wages would be deducted in accordance with the law for days and hours without production output.

In addition, it was stated that future overtime work assignments would depend on the factory's operational status and would be announced accordingly. Factory ferry vehicles would only be available once the official end-of-shift announcement was made.

“A few days ago, workers sign in the factory and then proceeded to protest in the canteen. But the gates were locked to prevent them from signing in this morning,” said a source close to the workers.

GTIG Guohua Glory is a Chinese national-owned factory that manufactures ONLY and Bestseller brands.