Over two thousand workers at the Rongda garment factory in Wah Ta Ra Industrial Zone, Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon Region, are staging protests demanding increases in their wages and overtime pay. The protests began on the morning of June 13, with workers collectively demonstrating at the Chinese-owned factory for improved compensation. The workers are demanding a daily wage of 13,000 kyats for eight hours of work and an overtime rate of 2,500 kyats per hour.
Currently, workers receive only 8,800 kyats per day as their basic wage and 2,000 kyats per hour for overtime work. According to the protesting workers, nearby factories are already paying daily wages of up to 12,000 kyats, and many factories have increased both daily wages and overtime rates since the post-Thingyan period. Workers also report that while the factory management sets high production quotas and promises bonuses for extra pieces produced, these promised bonuses are often canceled when it comes time for salary payment. The situation has created significant frustration among the workforce, who are struggling with the rising cost of living and unfair compensation practices.
Factory management is reportedly pressuring workers to return to work, and although negotiations are ongoing, no resolution has been reached yet. While factory leadership appears satisfied with their own compensation, workers express that the lack of fair treatment for the workforce has driven them to protest. All of the factory’s more than 2,000 workers are participating in the protest, and they have indicated their intention to continue demonstrating until their demands for fair compensation are met. The workers emphasize that their requests are reasonable, especially considering the current economic conditions and the fact that other factories in the area are already providing higher wages and better overtime rates.
