It is said that the minimum wage of 4,800 MMK per day is not enough due to the increase in commodity prices, but there are still some factories that do not pay even the minimum wage.

At present, as the commodity prices have risen exponentially, and a labour can be comfortable only if the minimum wage is 10,000 MMK. There have been requests to increase the current daily wage of 4,800 kyats to 10,000 MMK a day, and critical statements are also on the rise.

"Yes, even though there have been requests for an increase in the minimum wage, the current minimum wage of 4,800 MMK is still not being paid in everywhere. Some factories do not want to pay the labours even 4,800 MMK so they only hire them as day laborers and hiring under age labours with 3,600 MMK. Even they don’t want to raise the wages, they at least should give the full current wages. There are some places which pay 5,600 MMK a day so that 3600 should not be paid anymore. The labours don't complain anymore because of the oppressions and arrests,” said a laboural supporter.

In addition, there are 2 complaints from labours at the Shwe Pyi Thar Office of Labor Guidance that did not meet the minimum wage, according to STUM.

One letter of complaint was filed by a labour from the “Taw Win” Wood Finishing Mill because getting paid only a basic salary of 130,000 MMK and the another is from a labour of Hong Miao Garment Factory with the same issue of getting paid only 130,000 MMK.

STUM said, "No matter how much the employer claims to have paid 4,800 MMK, the fact that the basic salary is written as 130,000 kyats instead of the basic salary on the wage sheet clearly shows that the minimum wage has not been paid.

According to the labours, most of the employers refused to raise their wages, and some factory owners did not even pay 4,800 MMK a day and appointed them as day labourers and only paid them 3,600 MMK a day.