By Myo Thein - Nov 03, 2025
Workers at GY Sen garment factory report that the factory conducted Kahtein donation events during working hours and announced that 2 hours of overtime pay would be deducted as a result.
They also state that the factory has been consistently requiring them to work extended overtime, sometimes until late at night.
“This past Saturday (November 1, 2025) was our day off. But the Kahtein ceremony was held during our regular working hours. Then they said we have to give back 2 hours from next Saturday’s overtime to make up for it. When we asked why they didn’t hold the event after working hours, they wouldn’t accept that,” workers said.
In addition to daily donations collected for the Kahtein event, workers said each employee was required to contribute 3,000 MMK, which was directly deducted from their overtime wages.
They added that they have been working overtime continuously until 10 PM each night, and despite reporting the issue to supervisors, no changes have been made.
“We’ve been called in for overtime until 10 PM for about a week now. We have to do it every day. We can’t refuse, and we’re not even allowed to say we don’t want to. Supervisors don’t check or respond when we complain. Instead, the manager scolds us and increases the overtime,” workers reported.
Day-rate workers also said they have been employed for a long time without being transitioned to monthly salaried status, and they feel discriminated against.
“On the day of the Kahtein ceremony, day-rate workers were told they could choose to come or not but won’t get the daily wages. Other workers usually get wages for off days. But this wasn’t even an official holiday, it was a regular work day. This is clear discrimination,” they explained.
Workers further reported that the factory’s WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee) has not helped mediate the situation, and that their complaints to the labor office have not received appropriate attention, leaving workers in a vulnerable position.
GY Sen factory is located in the Watayar Industrial Zone in Shwepyithar Township, Yangon, and employs around 1,000 workers. The factory produces garments for brands such as Velilla, Radians, and Reflatex, and is a Chinese national-owned garment manufacturing facility.
