By Min Ni Kyaw - Apr 09, 2025

# Letter
Today, April 9, was our factory’s last working day before the Thingyan holidays.
Since all the employees already knew this would be the last working day, we all dressed up nicely to celebrate the occasion happily.
I wasn’t the only one—almost all of the workers dressed well.
We didn’t bring any alcohol into the factory because it was not allowed at the gate, so we left everything outside and entered the premises.
Work started at 7:30 AM. We did not consume any food or drinks inside the workplace.
We worked until 8:30 AM. Around 9 o’clock, the factory gave us permission to relax and do as we liked.
Around 8 o’clock, I was approached and scolded for my clothing.
The person who spoke to me was the HR Manager.
I wore a sleeveless top with a backless design. Although it was backless, my long hair was covering it.
I took off my outer shirt as the day got warmer in the factory. There was nothing inappropriate about it.
But the HR Manager said to me, “Aren’t you wearing a top layer? This is not a nightclub,” and ordered me in a stern tone to put something on immediately.
This caused the people nearby to gather and watch.
I don't understand what was wrong with the way I dressed.
I would accept if I was being accused of drinking.
But do we not have the right to wear what we want?
There is no specific dress code mentioned for the workplace.
Even the EC agreement does not state anything clearly about this.
I don’t want our clothing to be restricted. I believe we have the right to wear what we like since the factory doesn’t provide uniforms,.
Other people also dressed up, yet the HR Manager singled me out.
It felt discriminatory and targeted.
I cannot accept being criticized for wearing something that was not inappropriate.
The HR Manager is older than me, so I didn’t say anything in response. But I still cannot accept being treated this way.