By Min Ni Kyaw - Mar 15, 2025
Workers at Myanto Industrial Co., Ltd. reported that the factory deducts up to 1,500 kyats per scrap fabric made from their wages at the Surplus Fabric Sewing Department. The factory, located on Mya Khatter Road, Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, employs over 600 workers.
“There is a high production volume of trousers and surplus garments at the factory. Each sewing operator has to work on three to four sections. The supervisors and line leaders call them to the front, shouting and scolding them if they fail to meet production targets. The worst part is that the workers are fined 1,500 kyats at the surplus department if scrap fabric falls,” a female worker said.
Currently, a garment worker at the factory earns a daily wage of 4,800 kyats, and although the allowance was increased by 2,000 kyats last year, their total daily earnings amount to only 6,800 kyats.
Myanto Industrial Co., Ltd. is a Chinese national-owned factory manufacturing trousers and surplus shirts for brands such as October, AMISU, and Aero Guard.
Workers also reported discriminatory treatment by some supervisors, including mistreatment of pregnant employees. They raised their concerns with the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
“The employer said that only sewing operators would receive wage increases, and other workers would not be included. They also claimed, ‘This wage increase is not from the military government. I am the one increasing it.’ This shows discrimination. In Line 7, a supervisor even asked a pregnant worker why she was pregnant. They also said that the factory would not hire pregnant workers,” workers said.
According to workers, only pre-selected workers are allowed to show up when brand representatives or auditors visit the factory, and supervisors train those workers in advance on what to say.
The factory also employs a large number of daily-wage workers. Helpers receive only 7,800 kyats per day, with an overtime rate of 1,400 kyats per hour. Workers reported that when inspections or visitors arrive, daily-wage workers are denied work, and they are not granted leave and have their attendance bonuses, allowances, and daily wages deducted if they take a day off.
Workers are required to work until 5:30 PM on Saturdays if production targets are not met. Additionally, they are required to work overtime every Sunday. Workers said that they are pressured and told not to return the next day if they refuse to work overtime due to exhaustion.
