By Yoon Sat - Apr 10, 2025
Sakyar Min Traditional Medicine Factory, located inside Zaykabar compound, Mingaladon Township, Yangon Region, came under investigation by the Labour Office after reports emerged that all female workers were subjected to individual strip searches under the pretext of waste disposal violations.
Following public outrage and heavy criticism on social media, including calls to boycott Sakyar Min, the company temporarily deactivated its online pages due to the backlash over its treatment of employees.
While police had initially intervened, concluding that the matter stemmed from misinformation, the Labour Office conducted a formal inspection on April 1.
"A team from the Labour Office came and asked each worker to write down their experiences truthfully, assuring them there was no need to be afraid. The workers were satisfied with the process. An investigation committee was then formed to look into both this incident and other possible labour violations. While the factory manager tried to intervene, claiming the Labour Office staff weren’t allowed in, he was asked to leave. Later, the company told the workers that the searches were only conducted due to rule-breaking related to waste disposal, and that their intentions were good. However, they also promised to issue an apology and take disciplinary action against those responsible, which eased tensions,” said someone close to the workers.
During the inspection, it was also discovered that underage workers had been hired and that the strip searches were conducted near restrooms and trash bins. Some inspections took place in CCTV-monitored areas, which further upset workers.
As a result, the factory allowed employees to leave work at 5 PM starting that day and extended the Thingyan holiday from two days to ten. New employment contracts under the EC system were also reissued to incoming staff.
However, no formal apology had been issued to the workers by April 2. Instead, based on the investigation committee’s findings and recommendations, the factory demoted five staff members, including a factory manager, assistant manager, one supervisor, and one assistant supervisor, each by one rank for a duration of three months. A notice was issued internally urging staff to comply with rules to prevent future misconduct.
Following this, Sakyar Min resumed activity on its previously deactivated social media platforms, despite continued public criticism and boycott calls.
The factory employs over 40 female workers, all of whom were subjected to strip searches to check for menstruation status, even though the inspector was female. The use of CCTV-surveilled areas during the search caused further discomfort and dissatisfaction, leading workers to demand accountability from responsible authorities.
Sakyar Min manufacture a range of traditional medicines, including herbal tonics, energy boosters, and muscle relief remedies, and also manufactures and distributes “My Water” purified drinking water.
