By Myo Thein - Oct 17, 2025
Workers at Myanto Industrial Co. Ltd garment factory reported to the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar (IWFM) that military personnel were brought in to interrogate them following the alleged disappearance of 2,000 lakhs kyats from the factory premises.
On September 3, the factory claimed that 2,000 lakhs kyats went missing from a fireproof safe inside the office, and soldiers were called in to investigate, workers said.
“The soldiers called in workers one by one for questioning. Some workers are also being sued because of the missing money,” one worker said.
The fireproof safe was located in the factory owner’s office, an area workers do not have access to, they explained.
Since the incident, workers say the employer has been closely monitoring them.
“There are CCTV cameras everywhere. Workers aren’t even allowed in the owner’s office. Now we’re being watched individually like thieves. It’s making it hard to concentrate on our work,” they said.
Workers also reported being pressured with unrealistic production targets, and being yelled at or having wages deducted if the targets aren’t met.
“They demand over 500 pairs of pants per hour from one sewing line. If we can’t meet the quota, the supervisors yell at us and curse. They move us around or assign us based on grudges. The button supervisor even announced in a meeting that deductions will be made if targets aren’t met,” they said.
Supervisors on lines 6 and 7 are reportedly worse, verbally abusing workers to the extent that some quit during lunch breaks due to the stress.
Additionally, workers say the factory deducts wages for missed days, denies personal and sick leave, and applies inconsistent pay based on favoritism.
“Over 50,000 kyats are deducted if we miss a day. We get skilled worker pay f we get along with the supervisor. If not, we don’t get it,” one worker explained.
Workers also reported discrimination and emotionally harmful behavior from the head supervisor and manager.
“The head supervisor is a lawyer. His brother and father works for SSPC. They threatens us, saying the owner gave him the authority. The new manager told us, ‘Don’t talk back to me. I’m the manager. I’m not on the same level as you,’” one worker said.
Myanto Industrial Co. Ltd is a Chinese citizen-owned garment factory located in Mya Sein Yaung Industrial Zone, Hlaingrharyar Township, Yangon Region.
The factory employs over 600 workers and reportedly manufacture garments for the Springfield and LC Waikiki brands.
