By Myo Thein - Oct 17, 2025

Workers at Sheng Jie (Myanmar) Clothing Co., Ltd have reported to the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that they are being forced to work over 7 consecutive hours without rest, subjected to compulsory overtime, and verbally abused by supervisors.

“Work starts at 8 a.m. and after lunch, we have to work continuously until 7:30 p.m. without any breaks. They used to give us snack breaks, but now there are none. The supervisors verbally abuse us harshly if we got caught eating sneak in food due to hunger,” explained one worker.

Despite objecting to workers snacking during shifts, workers say supervisors themselves eat and drink during working hours, showing a clear double standard in treatment.

Workers also reported that they are regularly made to work overtime late into the night two to three days a week and that their health is deteriorating as a result.

“Even though the office says that overtime is not mandatory, if we say we don’t want to do it, the supervisors scold us and force us. In the workplace, they constantly complain, saying things like ‘your sewing is never up to standard’ or ‘you don’t work properly,’” said one worker.

If a worker needs to leave the premises due to urgent personal matters or illness, they are often denied permission, whereas supervisors are granted gate passes freely, workers say.

“One supervisor went to a bar for no valid reason and came back with four gate passes. We don’t know whether management is unaware or just pretending not to know. Or maybe they officially allowed it. They say ‘don’t try to act the same if you’re not.’ It’s only the lower-level workers who are being oppressed,” said one worker.

The Sheng Jie (Myanmar) Clothing Co., Ltd factory produces garments for the Turkey-based LC Waikiki brand and is reportedly owned by Chinese nationals.

The factory is located in the Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon Region, and employs over 1,000 workers, according to sources.