By Thar Gyi - Jun 30, 2025
Workers told Myanmar Labour News that Lesnart Myanmar Apparel garment factory has been forcing them to work overtime almost every day until 11 p.m. and even on holidays. They also said that those who refuse to work overtime are being threatened with pay cuts to their grade wages.
“We have to work until 11 p.m. every night. We have to work the full shift every Saturday. We have to work on Sundays if it’s a Saturday off week,” they said.
Workers said they’ve been forced to work overtime for over a month now although the factory has only been open for about seven months. They added that factory hours, including overtime, go until 6 p.m, and they have to continue nonstop until the end of the shift once they resume work after eating without any rest.
“We had to work until 6 p.m. today (June 28). We’ll also have to work tomorrow, which is Sunday. The line supervisor and manager told us that we won’t get our grade pay if we don’t work OT,” they said.
Workers said dinner is provided during overtime shifts but the arrangements are poor and that there are no shuttle services arranged for getting home late at night.
They also said they have not had a day off in June except for one public holiday.
“The meal they give us is stale. It’s fried rice with egg, but there’s no egg at all. They say we crossed the line if we ask for more due to hunger. They don’t provide transportation in the morning either. They won’t let us leave even if we live nearby. We have to buy our own breakfast. The OT pay we get isn’t enough. It’s us who suffer. Workers often faint in the production line. Two workers fainted today,” they said.
Some supervisors who fail to meet production targets have been fired, and workers said the WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee) group formed inside the factory is not able to advocate for workers’ issues.
“The factory manager has a short temper and is aggressive. Supervisors who can’t meet production targets are being fired. The WCC group can’t say anything to the factory manager anymore, so workers don’t know whom to rely on,” they said.
Lesnart Myanmar Apparel factory is operating in the Industrial Road, Watayar Industrial Zone, Shwepyithar Township, Yangon.
