By Min Ni Kyaw - Jun 02, 2025

Workers say that Yangon Young Clothing garment factory is requiring more than 20 hours of overtime per week. This overtime workload has been ongoing since the beginning of May.

“We’ve been working overtime continuously since early May. Our factory has two buildings. The new one was just opened recently. Ours has been operating for a long time. At first, they only called for overtime until 8 PM to meet unfinished production targets. Now, they make us work whether we can manage it or not,” workers said.

The factory’s regular working hours are from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, but workers said they are required to continue working until 8:00 PM without any break time. They also said that on Saturdays, they have to work until 8:00 PM as well, which is causing difficulties.

“Work hours are from 7:30 to 11:30 AM, then after lunch from 12:00 PM until overtime ends, all in one stretch with no break. We have to work until 8 PM even on Saturdays. We don’t work Sundays anymore. Even today, we have to work until 8 PM. It rains at night or there are power outages, and it’s difficult to return home when we leave late. If possible, we don’t want to be constantly called for overtime. If they must call us, we’d like them to give us proper break times,” they said.

Workers also reported that their phones are confiscated upon entering the workplace. Factory management refuses to allow them to leave even when feeling unwell and requesting a gate pass.

“Working overtime every day is becoming unmanageable. Even the drinking water smells metallic. We’ve told the line leaders, but nothing is done. We workers have to pool our money to buy water. The toilets are also in poor condition,” they said.

Yangon Young Clothing garment factory is Chinese national-owned and operates with around 1,000 workers. It is located on Kyauk Sein Road, Thadukan Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon.