By Min Ni Kyaw - May 28, 2025
Workers at S.H Company Limited garment factory report that they are being subjected to verbal abuse by line supervisors and are being forced to work nearly 30 hours of overtime per week, according to information shared with the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
“We work from 8 AM to 6:30 PM with two hours of overtime every day. We’re made to work until 8:30 or 9 PM on Saturdays. Sundays too—they call us in until 6:30 or 8:30 PM. It’s not optional,” said workers.
Those who refuse to do overtime face scolding and discrimination from line leaders and supervisors, and wage payments for overtime are delayed, according to the workers. Even pregnant workers are pressured into working without rest days.
“They make pregnant women work Sunday overtime. They get scolded if they refuse. We had to work Sundays continuously before Thingyan. Supervisors are just repeating the orders from Chinese management—whether we’re capable or not doesn’t matter anymore. They don’t even acknowledge being pregnant. They just push and scold us harshly. We even hear things like, ‘This isn’t your husband’s or your stepfather’s factory’ from the supervisors,” workers said.
Workers also say the extreme hours are harming their health and that they’re often informed about overtime as late as 4 PM. When inspection teams come, supervisors prepare workers to lie.
“They only inform us about overtime at around 4:30 PM. They won’t let us go home—they say we have to finish the work. The supervisors coach us on what to say during inspections. They tell us to say we aren’t overworked, there are no underage workers, and pregnant workers are treated gently. But the reality is very different,” said a worker.
Workers are being asked to produce over 1,000 pieces per day in one sewing line of 45 people, with some workers sewing five points individually. As o that, it’s difficult to meet targets, and any mistakes result in immediate scolding.
“They ask when it’ll be finished even before starting a new order. They demand over 1,000 garments and make us rush. They shout and point fingers in our faces if we make small errors in sewing a new style,” said another worker.
Workers receive a 55,000 kyat attendance bonus, but 20,000 kyats is deducted if they miss one day. Missing three days results in total loss of the bonus. In addition, the factory is employing underage workers aged 14 to 16 without any medical clearance or verification.
S.H Company Limited is a Chinese national-owned garment factory located on Makkharaminthargyi Maung Pyo Road, Industrial Zone (2), Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. The factory employs over 1,000 workers and manufacturing CARS JEANS, LCW MODEST brands garments such as surplus long-sleeve jackets, trousers, Chinese-style shirts, and kids wear.
