By Myo Thein - Aug 11, 2025

Workers from New Plus garment factory have reported that although management officially announced a bonus increase, it was not reflected in wages across all departments. Workers said only a few selected departments, including one department and Line Quality Control (QC), actually received the increase.

“We heard the factory manager announce it loudly through a mic, saying other departments would get a bonus increase too. But what we know is, only the cutting department and Line QC got it. We didn’t hear anything about the other sections getting it,” said one factory worker.

Workers said the announcement had been made last month over a loudspeaker, specifically stating that bonuses for non-sewing departments would be raised. The total number of staff among the three non-sewing departments, including cutting is reportedly about one-fourth of the total sewing line workforce .

“The factory manager officially declared that bonuses would be increased. But only workers from the departments that were announced got it. The rest of us didn’t. When we ask about it, they come up with all sorts of excuses. We’re being discriminated against. The sewing line doesn’t even need to ask it twice. But they just keep making excuses and don’t deliver for other departments,” said another worker.

Workers said there is at least a 40,000 kyat gap between those who received bonuses and those who did not. Complaints have already been raised about the inequality.

“Inspectors came last week, but they only checked certain departments. Afterwards, we just heard the same old loud mic announcements saying other departments would get bonuses too. But garment production doesn’t happen with only the sewing line or just cutting—every department contributes. Bonuses should be given fairly to everyone,” workers said.

New Plus garment factory is located on Kyauk Sein Road, Thadukan Industrial Zone, Shwepyitha Township, Yangon, and employs over 1,000 workers.