By Myo Thein - Nov 03, 2025
Workers report that Grand Forest garment factory has suddenly suspended 96 employees without prior notice.
According to the workers, they were called in on November 1 with the assurance that salaries would be paid, but were then told not to return to work the next day.
“They said they would suspend 96 workers from two sewing lines and told us not to come in the next day. They forced us to sign a document, saying we couldn't refuse to sign,” workers said.
The suspended workers had around six months of service, and they claim the employer only paid basic salaries without including severance pay, compensation, or earned leave entitlements. They were forced to sign off on this, according to workers.
Before this sudden suspension, the factory had informed workers that their attendance bonuses would be reduced on October 31. In response, members of the WCC (Workplace Coordination Committee) and workers collectively filed a complaint with the township labor office.
“They just said they would look into it when we went to complain. Now it's been three days since we've been out of work, and the factory has already dismissed us. How will this be resolved? Officials at the labor office just spoke casually. Now we are in trouble,” said the workers.
This is reportedly the second time the factory has carried out such a sudden suspension. In the first instance, 70 workers were terminated, workers said.
“This time, they said it's because we spoke truthfully to the brand representatives who visited the factory. That’s why they suspended us,” they explained.
Workers also reported ongoing workplace issues, including being pressured into signing warning letters, not receiving full overtime pay, being denied the right to freely speak with brand representatives, being forced to work overtime without consent, supervisors and WCC members being unaware of scheduling changes, being pushed to meet excessive production targets, poor ventilation, lack of adequate medical supplies, and unsafe working conditions.
Grand Forest International Apparel is a Chinese citizen-owned garment factory located at the intersection of Saya San Road and Sin Phyu Road, Shwe Pyi Thar Industrial Zone, Dagon Seikkan Township, Yangon. It employs around 1,200 workers.
