By Hsu Latt Phyu - Oct 01, 2025
Workers at Saiform International Garment Myanmar are calling for accountability over widespread labour violations in the workplace, including forced unpaid overtime on Sundays and public holidays. They are urging factory management to recalculate wages fairly and resolve ongoing rights abuses.
The factory, located on Mingyi Maha Min Khaung Road in Shwe Than Lwin Industrial Zone, Hlaingtharyar Township, Yangon Region, is Chinese citizen-owned and employs over 1,700 workers. It makes pants for several brands including ZEROCTAGE, Huna, ZERO-STAGE WORKWEAR, TIEORA, SOLOTEX, Aero light, and Fieldcore. The factory has been operating for around 10 years and does not have a trade union.
Working hours are from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM, but depending on production demands, workers are often required to continue until 8:00 PM or even overnight during all-day and night shifts.
“It’s been nearly three months now that we’ve been working Sundays without any rest, and doing unpaid overtime. Around 20 are required to work extra to meet targets on a line with 50 people. There have been many nights where we’ve worked until 8:00 PM without pay. Line leaders harass or pressure us if we refuse. This isn’t just one day or one month but it’s been going on for months. We can’t take it anymore, so we’re seeking help,” said one worker.
Workers also noted that supervisors and line leaders are receiving large bonuses tied to production increases, which they believe is fueling the pressure and exploitation.
“Supervisors and line leaders are demanding more garments without question. If a worker earns 10,000 MMK in bonuses, the supervisors can get up to 100,000. It’s a 10 to 90 percent split. This kind of system pits supervisors against workers and creates conflict. We want fair and equal wage distribution,” another worker stated.
In addition, daily production targets are being raised constantly, and verbal abuse is used to push workers to meet them.
“Due to the bonus system, the supervisors and line leaders no longer see us as people. They treat us like cattle and force us to do overtime just to meet their targets. They yell at us all the time. We’ve been doing unpaid overtime for three months now. It’s unbearable,” said another worker.
Workers say they want management to acknowledge the inequality in the workplace and ensure fair and lawful labour practices.
Workers’ Demands:
- Recalculate all overtime hours worked and compensate accordingly, including back pay.
- workers must be paid for it without exception f overtime is required. Overtime should only be requested from those willing to do it, and no worker should be pressured or threatened into compliance.
- Fairly distribute production bonuses between sewing workers and supervisors/line leaders, ensuring equal and just treatment.
