By Min Ni Kyaw - Apr 12, 2025

Workers from GYSEN (Myanmar) garment factory have still not been allowed to return to their workplace one year after being dismissed, according to labour sources. On April 8, 2024, the factory terminated 50 workers—including the head of the workers' union—citing a reduction in workforce as the official reason.

“This marks a full year of discriminatory treatment. The union leaders have still not been reinstated. Unlike other factories, where official letters are provided for legal claims, GYSEN continues to operate with impunity. There has been complete silence since the change in leadership although the case was reportedly submitted to the ministry,” the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (STUM) posted on their Facebook page.

Only two reconciliation meetings were held at the township labour office despite repeated appeals by workers for action against the factory owner for union busting and unfair dismissal. To date, the employer has not allowed the dismissed workers to return to the workplace. No such support has been given in the case of GYSEN while labour offices have issued letters for legal claims against other factory owners.

The factory owner, reportedly a Chinese national, operates three garment factories in the Shwepyithar Industrial Zone. GYSEN garment factory, located on Wataya Road, Wataya industrial zone, began operations in 2019. It employed around 800 workers and manufactures brands such as KAKAO FRIENDS, TERRANOVA, CALLIOPE, and Procera, according to the workers.