By Thar Gyi - Jun 28, 2025
Workers from Shwe Myinn Washing Factory told the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that they are not provided with protective equipment although they are working with chemical substances, leading to injuries for which the employer takes no responsibility.
“We have to work with chemicals inside the workplace. They don’t provide gloves or face masks. The washing chemicals are so strong they cause chest tightness. We feel nauseous. The factory does nothing. There’s no medicine available when we get injured on the job. There’s no clinic. The employer doesn’t take responsibility if something happens. We have to go to clinics outside and pay ourselves,” workers said.
They added that they are being assigned to various tasks with just over 100 workers in the factory, making it hard to manage the workload.
“We have to do overtime as there are so few workers. We finish at 6 or 8 p.m. on regular days. Then we work again until midnight or even 2 a.m. Those who finish at 10 p.m. only get one snack and are sent home. Those who finish at 12 a.m. get a meal. They give 15,000 kyats per month as ferry transport allowance, but we have to use our own savings whether it’s OT or regular work, as the transport costs are rising,” they said.
Workers must travel to the workplace on their own but their wages are deducted if they arrive late.
“They cut our pay for late. The daily wage and overtime rates are low. We just want better wages,” the workers said.
Workers also said they are not granted legal entitlements such as casual leave, medical leave, or earned leave and wages are deducted for absent.
“Leave request is always denied. They deduct 8,800 kyats in penalties and 30,000 kyats from regular wages or just one missed day. They threaten us if we don’t sign for agreement for overtime. The factory manager said no one can be against the overtime requirements. They threaten that those who want to file should be able to endure the ending,” they said.
Only pre-selected workers are allowed to speak when inspections take place. Though a WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee) exists, it is composed of management-appointed leaders, so workers do not feel free to speak up.
The factory is also reported to employ a large number of underage and young workers aged 14 to 15 without medical clearance.
Shwe Myinn Washing Factory is a Chinese citizen-owned factory located on Nawaday Min Gyi Road, Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharya Township, Yangon.
