ByMin Ni Kyaw - May 27, 2025
Workers report that supervisors and line supervisors are verbally abusing them while demanding high production targets at Myanmar Fortress Wealth Garment factory. Workers told the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that the factory is demanding unachievable production quotas although it pays daily wages and piece rates.
“There are over 60 sewing workers on the line. They are demanding more than 90 pieces per hour per line. Though they say they pay piece rates, the employer is unfairly demanding production targets. The supervisors verbally abuse us if we don’t meet the target. Not only that, but as soon as we enter the workplace, they pressure us to reach the targets while shouting at us,” said one worker.
Workers stated that the current garments they are sewing are made of slippery and stretchable fabric, making it difficult to meet the quotas. They also said that they are sewing non-stop without going to the restroom or drinking water just to try to reach the required numbers despite these challenges.
In addition to this, workers reported that the factory does not allow them to take leave and deducts 8,800 kyats for daily wage, 30,000 kyats for attendance bonus, and 10,000 kyats for piece rate pay for every day missed.
“It’s gotten to the point where we can’t afford to miss a single day. We don’t get any kind of leave, not even medical leave. Yet, they deduct social security contributions every month. But we don’t get any benefits from it even though we’re contributing. There are many skilled workers at the factory, but they don’t provide any skill-based pay,” said one worker.
Workers report that the nurse always says medicine is unavailable although there is a clinic in the factory. However, when medicine is bought with money, it becomes available, they claim.
Myanmar Fortress Wealth Garment is located in the Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon. It is a Chinese national-owned factory employing over 1,500 workers.
