By Myo Thein
Feb 22, 2026
Workers at Tanjin fashion milestone Co.,Ltd say the factory is instructing employees who wish to continue using their existing Social Security cards to handle the administrative process themselves, rather than issuing new cards or managing the procedure on their behalf, according to the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
An IWFM official said the factory’s HR department informed workers that they must personally visit the Social Security office to process documentation. “In reality, this is a procedure that the employer is responsible for handling. The company is failing to carry out its duty,” the official said.
Employers are required to register employees with the Social Security Board upon hiring and to make monthly contributions under Myanmar’s Social Security Law. Employers must also submit official “employment entry and exit” records to the relevant township Social Security office.
A former HR staff member explained that workers do not need to apply for a new Social Security number each time they change jobs. “A worker keeps the same Social Security number for life. If they already have an SSB card from a previous job, they only need to provide the card number or a copy to the new employer. It is the employer’s responsibility to continue registration under the new workplace,” the former HR staff member said.
Workers also allege that numerous young employees aged 14 and 15 are being hired without required medical recommendations and are assigned the same workload as adult workers.
“The children work the same as everyone else. The factory clinic often lacks medicine if someone gets sick. Even basic painkillers are unavailable. We face resentment when we report this to HR,” a worker said.
Employees further claim that legally entitled medical leave and casual leave are not granted. They allege that the current HR manager, a former factory employee, previously dismissed workers unlawfully and required overtime without proper compensation. Since being rehired by management, workers say labor rights violations have continued.
Some line managers reportedly impose excessive production targets beyond workers’ capacity. Failure to meet quotas allegedly results in shouting and verbal abuse.
“The insults are so severe it’s embarrassing to even hear. The line manager Daw Moe Gyi is the worst. She shouts and swears all day if targets are not met. Workers are verbally abused even when asking for a gate pass,” a worker told Myanmar Labour News.
Workers previously requested wage increases last year, but management did not engage in negotiations. The Chinese-owned factory employs around 1,000 workers and is located on Seikkanthar Street, Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. The factory is currently manufactures the Sinsay label.
