By Min Ni Kyaw - Feb 10, 2025
Workers at HC Garment Factory have staged a protest after the employer failed to pay the full wages that were originally agreed upon when they were hired, according to factory workers.
“We joined the factory because they promised to pay 5,800 MMK as our wage. But now, they are only paying 4,800 MMK. We are refusing to accept and have decided to protest since they are cutting our wages. The protest is happening inside the factory compound, but we are not entering the production area,” said a female worker.
On the morning of February 10, around 400 workers gathered inside the factory compound to protest. Workers reported that due to the factory’s wage cuts, each worker has suffered losses ranging between 50,000 MMK and 80,000 MMK.
“We are simply demanding the wages that were originally promised to us when we were hired. We are not asking for more,” another worker said.
The Ministry of Labour had issued a directive that workers should receive 2,000 MMK per day as a support allowance, but workers claimed they have not received this amount either. However, there is no independent confirmation of whether this allowance was granted or not.
The factory rejected the workers’ demands and said that any wage negotiations would have to go through the Township Labor Office.
“The factory management told us to file a complaint with the labor office. But the factory’s stance is clear—they said, ‘Take it or leave it. If you don’t like it, quit.’ We have not accepted these wages,” a worker explained.
As of now, no negotiations have taken place between the employer and the workers. Workers have also reported threats from the factory’s management and security guards.
“The employer said they will not pay the remaining wages. ‘This is it, take it or leave it. Go ahead and report to the authorities if you want to complain.’ Security guards are also threatening and forcing workers to leave the premises. But workers are saying they will not leave until they are paid the full wages they were promised,” said a female worker.
The HC Garment Factory is located in Kyisu Industrial Zone, South Dagon Township, Yangon.
