Workers’ Wage Raise Demands Echoed in 2025 May: Labour News Report 

In May, Myanmar Labour News featured reports from factory workplaces where wage raise demands emerged alongside violations of labour laws and workers’ rights.

There were 74 articles published in May covering 46 factories and workplaces.

These reports were compiled by the Myanmar Labour Society, which monitors and publishes monthly findings. This particular analysis was based on regular monitoring of the Myanmar Labour News website.

May’s labour-related reports included CMP factories in the garment, bag, and footwear sectors—industries with up to 10 percent contribution to trade value—as well as electronics, corset, and packaging factories employing a large number of workers.

Most of the reported violations in May were found to be from CMP enterprises.

The workplaces where workers’ rights violations occurred during May included those in garment, footwear, bag production, packaging, electronics, and plastic pallets manufacturing factories. Among them, 68 articles were related to CMP factories, accounting for nearly 92 percent of the total reports.

The most prominent and frequent type of report was related to wage raise demands at various factories. It was found that 27 articles covered 12 factories where such demands had taken place.

Tsang Yih footwear factory had 5 reports of worker demands, Dishang Fashion Myanmar garment factory had 4 reports, while GTIG Guohua Glory (GTIG 2), Tianjin Fashion Milestone Garment, and True Green garment factories each had 3 reports. Bontech Manufacturing Garment and Myanmar Xiang He factories had 2 reports each. GTIG U&G (Factory-1), Joy Time (Myanmar) Garment, Myanmar Pou Chen, UA Electronic Co., Ltd, and Myanmar Stage each had one report.

Workers’ Demands

The most common workers’ demands that intensified during May was the demand for an increased wage aligned with current standards, but there were also calls not to impose workplace oppression and not to cut or reduce wages.

Demands explicitly described the presence of workplace oppression in some factories.

Suntime Jck workers made demands in May to dismiss a supervisor and to avoid making changes in the workplace environment due to workplace oppression and the employer side complied with the demand, and the issue was resolved.

There were also demands not to reduce skilled bonuses, not to deny leave entitlements, not to deduct regular day wages under the excuse of absenteeism, not to fail to issue social security cards despite monthly contributions, not to force excessive overtime, not to pressure with production targets, not to delay employment contracts (EC) until after a year of employment, and not to dismantle trade unions.

Demands for wage raises started to emerge continuously in factory workplaces from May 15 onwards.

Myanmar Labour Society's findings estimate that over 25 factories submitted such demands. However, only the demands from 12 factories could be documented since the study was based solely on Myanmar Labour News reports.

Factories where workers demanded wage increases included Bontech Manufacturing Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/bontech-garment-factory-in-thadukan-industrial-zone-demands-13000-kyats-livable-wage ), Dishang Fashion Myanmar (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/dishang-fashion-myanmar-garment-workers-continue-demands-for-wage-increases ), GTIG Guohua Glory (GTIG 2) (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/gtig-2-garment-factory-workers-granted-only-11500-kyats-in-wage-demand ), GTIG U&G (Factory-1) (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/gtig-u-g-factory-1-workers-wage-demand-resolved-within-three-hours ), Joy Time (Myanmar) Garment (https://www.facebook.com/myanmar labournews/posts/ pfbid0DAk1NZnEX5Dg QVmSXAeywKXidNVC1zX4wcEQV8ZMnBDPsdkaYD8WAmBVbrSrNUHKl), Myanmar Pou Chen (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/adidas-myanmar-pou-chen-factory-pays-production-bonus-but-deducts-income-tax ), Myanmar Stage (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/workers-protest-after-wage-deduction) , Myanmar Xiang He (https://myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/two-workers-fired-after-wage-protest-at-myanmar-xiang-he-factory ), Tianjin Fashion Milestone Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/tianjin-fashion-milestone-garment-factory-complies-with-demands-workers-to-resume-work ), True Green (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/trade-union-faces-pressure-to-disband-after-demanding-wage-increase ), Tsang Yih (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/workers-at-tsang-yih-footwear-factory-demand-wage-increase ), and UA Electronic Co.,Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/wage-increase-demanded-at-ua-electronic-co-ltd-factory ).

All of the demands were made within the factory compounds through work stoppages and in designated areas inside the factories.

Special Note

Myanmar Pou Chen factory, in coordination with the workplace trade unions and WCC committee, raised wages along with the Tsang Yih factory. Both Tsang Yih and Myanmar Pou Chen factories are Adidas footwear production factories. The Myanmar Pou Chen factory also raised wages for its workers after an agreement was reached with protesting workers at the Tsang Yih factory.

Threats and Dismissals

There were also instances where some workers were dismissed during and after the demands. True Green corset factory and Myanmar Xiang He garment factory from Shwe Pauk Kan Industrial Zone, and dismissed workers who led or participated in the demands.

There were also incidents where armed security forces entered some factories during the protests. These factories included Myanmar Xiang He and Tianjin Fashion Milestone Garment factories, where armed forces entered and collected information on the leaders.

Demanded Amounts and Received Amounts

A maximum wage increase of MMK 12,000 was achieved, with most receiving between MMK 10,000 and MMK 12,000 in these demands.

Although the exact number of participating workers in the May demands was unclear, some workers reported that participation ranged from at least 50 percent to as much as 95 percent of factory workers.

In May, Myanmar Labour Society studied workers’ rights violations published on Myanmar Labour News’ website, categorizing them into 27 types of issues, of which 23 were confirmed as violations. One resolved and concluded case was also included in the findings.

Labour Right Violations in May 2025

(Table 1)

The most common type of violation was wage deduction, which occurred in 25 factories. This means that over 50 percent of the 46 factories reported had wage deduction issues.

These factories include Alland Fashion Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/alland-fashion-garment-factory-employs-young-workers-without-issuing-ec-contracts ), Asdet (Myanmar) Garment Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/asdet-myanmar-garment-co-ltd-factory-discriminates-in-wage-payment ), Casico Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/casico-garment-forces-work-without-paying-full-daily-wage ), Dishang Fashion Myanmar (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/dishang-fashion-myanmar-workers-get-only-one-day-off-per-month ), Double Packing Myanmar (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/double-packing-myanmar-workers-get-only-two-days-off-per-month ), Feng Teng Garment Co. Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/feng-teng-garment-factory-workers-facing-psychological-abuse ), GTIG HUBO Industrial Co., Ltd (Myanmar) (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/gtig-hubo-garment-factory-fires-pregnant-worker-and-forces-overtime-1 ), LAT WAR (3) COMPANY LIMITED (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/lat-war-3-garment-factory-reduces-holiday-wages ), LITA MYANMAR (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/lita-myanmar-co-ltd-denies-legal-leave-and-calls-police-for-unlawful-dismissals ), Mai Yi Bei Garment Manufacturing Co. Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/mai-yi-bei-garment-factory-accused-of-forcing-workers-into-overtime-under-pressure ), Myanmar Fortress Wealth Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/supervisors-at-myanmar-fortress-wealth-garment-verbally-abusing-workers-over-production-targets ), Myanmar Jiale Fashion (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/myanmar-jiale-fashion-factory-halts-operations-due-to-unpaid-wages ), Myanmar Ju Chuan (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/myanmar-ju-chuan-promises-bonus-for-overtime-then-offers-only-a-bun-after-7-hour-shifts ), Myanmar Pou Chen (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/adidas-myanmar-pou-chen-factory-pays-production-bonus-but-deducts-income-tax), Myanmar Stage (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/workers-protest-after-wage-deduction ), New Zhong Hui Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/new-zhong-hui-garment-factory-workers-made-to-work-continuously-until-overtime-ends ), S.H COMPANY LIMITED (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/sh-garment-factory-supervisors-verbally-abuse-workers-force-over-20-hours-overtime-weekly-1 ), Sayan Outdoor Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/sayan-outdoor-garment-factory-reduces-wages ), Sheng Jie (Myanmar) Clothing Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/sheng-jie-myanmar-garment-workers-forced-to-work-consecutive-days-wages-deducted-for-taxes ), Sky Fashion Myanmar Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/sky-fashion-myanmar-manager-uses-microphone-to-yell-at-workers-for-not-meeting-production-targets ), SUNLONE MYANMAR SPORTS CO., LTD (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/sunlone-myanmar-sports-co-ltd-factory-requires-workers-who-cannot-work-overtime-to-resign ), WAN HE SHUO FASHION Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/wan-he-shuo-fashion-workers-forced-to-work-overnight-without-overtime-pay ), WHN Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/whn-garment-factory-cuts-skill-bonuses-for-public-holidays ), Zong Hong (https://myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/zong-hong-factory-accused-of-underpaying-overtime-wages-during-thingyan-holiday ).

The wage deduction practices by the factories include not paying full overtime wages, making workers work during rest time without compensation, withholding wages, deducting taxes, discriminatory wage payments, deducting skilled worker bonuses for leave days, cutting wages of daily wage workers, reducing allowances for holidays, failing to pay support funds, deducting wages due to electricity outages, and deducting penalty charges based on attendance records.

Factories and Products Reported in May 2025

Forced Overtime Work

There were 24 factories involved in forced overtime work in May, meaning that over 50 percent of the 46 reported factories had incidents of forced overtime.

The factories involved in forced overtime include Alland Fashion Co., Ltd, Asdet (Myanmar) Garment Co., Ltd, Casico Garment, Dishang Fashion Myanmar, Double Packing Myanmar, Feng Teng Garment Co. Ltd, GTIG HUBO Industrial Co., Ltd (Myanmar), LITA MYANMAR, Myanmar Belle International Co., Ltd (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/myanmar-belle-international-garment-workers-health-affected-by-continuous-overtime ), Myanmar Handsome (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/myanmar-handsome-garment-factory-manager-exploits-workers-wages) , Myanmar Ju Chuan, Myanmar Stage, New Zhong Hui Co., Ltd, Precol Myanmar (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/forced-overtime-at-precol-myanmar-garment-factory-say-workers) , S.H COMPANY LIMITED, Sheng Jie (Myanmar) Clothing Co., Ltd, Sky Fashion Myanmar Co., Ltd, SUNLONE MYANMAR SPORTS CO., LTD, Sunrise Myanmar Fashion Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/sunrise-myanmar-fashion-temporarily-hires-daily-workers-without-permanent-contracts-and-defrauds-brand-representatives) , Tian Yu (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/tian-yu-factory-forces-workers-to-give-false-answers-during-inspections-those-who-tell-the-truth-get-fired) , WAN HE SHUO FASHION Co., Ltd, YUAN HONG GARMNENT (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/yuan-hong-garment-workers-call-for-end-to-workplace-violations) , and Zong Hong garment factories.

All of the forced overtime incidents occurred in CMP factories, and it was reported that workers were severely affected socially and health-wise.

Lack of Decent Working Conditions

In Myanmar, the Factories Act of 1951 has been enacted to ensure occupational safety and health for workers. Although the law is outdated and not comprehensive in today’s context, many current factories still fail to comply even with the provisions of that existing law.

Conditions indicating a lack of decent working environment include insecure toilet facilities, unsanitary toilets, restrictions or denials on toilet access, insufficient access, restricted water usage, lack of or overcrowded shuttle transportation, absence of organized transport, inadequate canteens, lack of security, absence of clinics, shortage of medicines, absence of nurses, extreme heat in factories, lack of maintenance of fans and water sprayers, narrow or blocked emergency exits, unsafe or insufficient drinking water, and denial of gate pass.

A total of 19 factories were found to have such poor working conditions in the May reports.

Those factories include Alland Fashion Co., Ltd, Asdet (Myanmar) Garment Co., Ltd, Casico Garment, Dishang Fashion Myanmar, Double Packing Myanmar, Feng Teng Garment Co. Ltd, LITA MYANMAR, Mai Yi Bei Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd, Myanmar Belle International Co., Ltd, Myanmar Fortress Wealth Garment, Myanmar Ju Chuan, Precol Myanmar, Rainbow Tec Myanmar (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/rainbow-tec-myanmar-garment-factory-fails-to-grant-permanent-contracts-even-after-one-year) , Saiform International Garment (https://www.myanmarlabournews.com/en/posts/workers-at-saiform-international-garment-factory-facing-discrimination) , Sheng Jie (Myanmar) Clothing Co., Ltd, Sky Fashion Myanmar Co., Ltd, SUNLONE MYANMAR SPORTS CO., LTD, Sunrise Myanmar Fashion Garment, and YUAN HONG GARMNENT.

Most of the factories without decent working conditions are garment factories.

Intimidation and Coercion

It was also reported that 18 factories engaged in intimidation and coercive practices in May. This accounts for around 40 percent of the total reports.

Forms of intimidation and coercion include forcing workers to work during break times, forcing production without pay, pressuring workers to meet garment targets, forcing signatures under pressure, threatening forced overtime, pressuring workers to resign, dismissing workers under pressure, threatening of lawsuit if wage demands are made, threatening wage deductions, threatening changes to wage payment methods, demanding production targets under threat, intimidating during demand activities, forcing excessive overtime if targets are unmet, and threatening to cut entitlements.

Such intimidation and coercion were found in news reports involving the following factories: Asdet (Myanmar) Garment Co., Ltd, Casico Garment, Dishang Fashion Myanmar, Double Packing Myanmar, GTIG HUBO Industrial Co., Ltd (Myanmar), LAT WAR (1) COMPANY LIMITED, LITA MYANMAR, Mai Yi Bei Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd, Myanmar Dongxin Garment Co., Ltd, Myanmar Stage, Precol Myanmar, Saiform International Garment, Sayan Outdoor Co., Ltd, Sky Fashion Myanmar Co., Ltd, SUNLONE MYANMAR SPORTS CO., LTD, Tian Yu, YUAN HONG GARMNENT, and Zong Hong.

Denial of Legal Leave Entitlements

It has been many years since workers have suffered due to factories’ failure to provide legally mandated leave entitlements. Yet, the Ministry of Labour has never taken any action despite complaints.

Workers have experienced consequences such as unpaid wages, threats, dismissals, and discrimination due to the lack of action.

In May, the factories that failed to provide legal leave entitlements were Alland Fashion Co., Ltd, Casico Garment, Dishang Fashion Myanmar, Double Packing Myanmar, Feng Teng Garment Co. Ltd, GTIG HUBO Industrial Co., Ltd (Myanmar), LITA MYANMAR, Mai Yi Bei Garment Manufacturing Co., Ltd, Myanmar Belle International Co., Ltd, Myanmar Fortress Wealth Garment, Myanmar Ju Chuan, Myanmar Stage, New Zhong Hui Co., Ltd, and Sky Fashion Myanmar Co., Ltd, as reported in the news.

Verbal Abuse

Reports of verbal abuse and coercion were found in 11 factories in May. That accounts for nearly one in four of the 46 factories reported.

Workers stated that verbal abuse in the workplace caused them psychological distress. They said it led to reduced trust in their jobs, health problems, shame, and eventually some leaving their jobs altogether.

It was also found that the perpetrators of verbal abuse were not only the primary factory managers but also supervisors at different levels.

The factories where such incidents occurred include Alland Fashion Co., Ltd, Casico Garment, Dishang Fashion Myanmar, Feng Teng Garment Co. Ltd, Myanmar Fortress Wealth Garment, New Zhong Hui Co., Ltd, S.H COMPANY LIMITED, Saiform International Garment, Sheng Jie (Myanmar) Clothing Co., Ltd, Sky Fashion Myanmar Co., Ltd, and WAN HE SHUO FASHION Co., Ltd.

10 factories responded and coordinated to resolve issues during May following the news coverage. However, there were still 9 factories found violating the rights of day-rate workers, 6 factories each involved in workplace discrimination and wage deductions by supervisors, 5 factories reported to have unlawfully dismissed workers, 4 factories that force workers to misrepresented or obstructed inspection processes, 4 factories that violated WCC regulations, 4 factories that made workers continue working for more than 5 hours without break, 3 factories that employed child labour without medical clearance, 3 factories that violated the rights of pregnant workers, 3 factories that violated EC contract laws, 3 factories that did not provide full rest time, 2 factories that forced workers to take unpaid leave under pressure, 1 factory that dissolved trade unions, 1 factory where workers were injured in the workplace, and 1 factory that violated the social security law.

Although workers continued to demand and succeeded in securing wage increases during May, it was also evident that they continued to suffer losses and rights violations. It was found that workplace decision-makers still imposed wage deductions, denied leave and continued withholding pay—conditions that remain unresolved in many cases.

Myanmar Labour Society’s monthly monitoring and reporting of labour rights violations is intended for workers, employers, labour activists, trade unions, and those who can lead reforms. These findings are also shared with the hope of preparing all parties to ensure legal protections and rights in the future.

Author – Min Ni Kyaw
Editor – Hsu Latt Phyu
Design – Kyaw Gyi

Journalists
– Hsu Latt Phyu
– Min Ni Kyaw
– Ma Ma
– Yoon Seet

We invite your support and collaboration to help ensure the continued publication of Myanmar Labour News’ monthly reports and the production of high-quality monthly and annual reports.

Myanmar Labour Society
Research Team