At the Amava Apparel Garment Factory in Pathein, Irrawaddy, some labours are suffering from headache and dizziness due to the smell of burning of asphalt around the factory as per the business requirements.

Although they say that they are manufacturing asphalt according to business needs, it has been going on for almost a month, and the labours say that they are having difficulty working because of respiratory problems, dizziness, and even headaches.

"Asphalt has been making to patch the roof of the factory for almost a month now. Even the regulatory department said that it is not possible to tell because it is according to business requirements. When they came to check on Friday at two o'clock in the afternoon, they said that it is not too bad, and nothing has been done," said the labour.

"Because of this pungent smell, the labours are dizzy, swollen, have headaches, shortness of breath, those who have gum disease and wounds are inflamed and those who have had a C-section got stitches,” said a labour.

“We wish that they manufacture the asphalt on off days or after the working hours. Now some got swollen gums and those who have had a C-section recently got stitches and headaches,” she continued.

The factory is owned by a Sri Lankan citizen and manufacturing the Blaklader brand with around 1,000 labours.