By Hsu Latt Phyu - Nov 06, 2025
#Workers’ Letter
Summary of Violations
We, the workers at JiangSu Soho Myanmar Industry Co., Ltd, located on Yawatwinwun U Phoe Hlaing Road in Shwe Lin Ban Industrial Zone, Hlaing Thar Yar Township, Yangon Region, are facing ongoing violations of our labor rights and are calling for immediate support from the Industrial Workers’ Federation of Myanmar (IWFM).
This factory, employing over 900 workers, is Chinese citizen-owned and currently produces garments for brands like Amisu and LC Waikiki. But inside the workplace, our rights are being repeatedly violated.
Chinese supervisors directly control operations, while local line leaders and supervisors act as mere figureheads. We're subjected to shouting, scolding, and humiliating gestures like head shaking and foot tapping.
Even speaking to colleagues about work is discouraged. If Chinese managers overhear us, they see it as grounds for termination. They often say, "You're fired the moment I don't like you"—no reason, no discussion.
The office also follows this approach. HR doesn’t verify the situation or whether it's justified if the Chinese supervisors order a dismissal, but they just fire us on the spot, with no due process.
Our wages include a daily allowance + subsidy pay of 11,000 kyats, a monthly attendance bonus of 60,000 kyats, and a so-called snack fee of 50,000 kyats. But if we miss even one day of work, deductions can exceed 100,000 kyats. We’re afraid to take leave even for being sick. They deduct over 50,000 kyats if we take a gate pass just once.
They deduct the entire snack allowance when we're late. No matter how unwell we are, we force ourselves to show up. Even heavily pregnant workers are afraid to take a day off.
Though some department heads approve leave, the office especially the Chinese managers often deny it, making it impossible for many of us to take leave even when permitted.
They also impose unrealistic production targets that are far beyond what we can physically produce. A single line may have around 50 people, yet we’re expected to produce 150 small garments per hour. They justify it by saying we’re paid better than other factories, so we must meet higher targets. But the truth is, the targets are far beyond what any one person can manage.
Many of us joined because of the slightly higher wages, but with such crushing expectations, we can’t keep up. Workers keep quitting, and they’re constantly hiring replacements. When new workers are interviewed, they’re forced to sign agreements without even being allowed to read them.
If a worker can’t perform within three days of starting, they are dismissed without any pay for the days they worked. And if we raise concerns about excessive targets, we’re threatened with dismissal.
The WCC at our factory is handpicked by management, and it does not speak up for us. They’ve been silenced. No one stands up for the workers.
Our sewing lines are located next to the toilets, and the smell is unbearable. Despite this, no improvements are made. This situation is the same across all three sections of the factory.
We, the workers of JiangSu Soho Myanmar Industry Co., Ltd, are calling for support and intervention from IWFM to address these ongoing violations of our labor and legal rights.
Workers' Demands:
- Stop setting unreasonable production targets that exceed the actual working capacity of employees.
- Chinese supervisors must stop threatening workers with dismissal.
- Pay wages for actual days worked, even for newly recruited workers who resign within a few days.
- Reform the WCC: Replace the management-appointed WCC with one elected by the workers themselves.
- Foreigners must not be allowed to directly supervise or control workers in a way that violates dignity and labor rights.
— Workers of JiangSu Soho Myanmar Industry Co., Ltd
