Myo Thein
Feb 23, 2026
Workers at WHN Garment say the factory reduces their skill grade levels and deducts attendance bonuses if they take leave, according to the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
“If a worker misses one day, they lose the 50,000 kyats attendance bonus regardless of the reason for leave. Their skill grade is also lowered for example, from Grade A to Grade B. They are not paid the skill allowance they previously earned if they are absent for two days,” an IWFM official said.
Workers also said the factory regularly requires overnight overtime every other day, makes them sleep at the factory, and sends them home by ferry at around 5 a.m.
“We have to work overtime whenever we are called when there is urgent work. Workers become exhausted and sometimes have to miss work or seek medical treatment because of consecutive overtime shifts, which leads to deductions from attendance bonuses, skill allowances, and daily wages. Overtime can run until midnight, and we are required to sleep at the factory. It is difficult to make it back in time to catch the ferry to return to work when they send us back at 5 a.m. by truck,” workers said.
In addition, workers said they are required to work overtime on Sundays and public holidays, even if they are unwilling. Continuous overtime shifts have caused both mental and physical strain, they added.
“On the 19th, there were incidents inside the factory where workers appeared to be possessed one after another. Management accused them of causing unrest and forced those involved to sign pledges. They had to sign statements saying they would be dismissed if it happened again. Supervisors were also required to sign acknowledgments confirming they were aware of the pledges,” workers said.
Due to ongoing night overtime shifts, workers say they are worried that similar incidents may recur and are also concerned about being forced to sign additional pledges.
WHN Garment employs around 500 workers and does not have a trade union or Workplace Coordination Committee (WCC), according to available information. The factory is Chinese-citizen owned and located on Sayarsan Road in Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone (2), Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon. It currently manufactures brands including ET VOUS, PROMOD, CALLOPE, and PUNT.
