Yangon factory workers protest to demand higher wages

Workers from at least 10 factories in Yangon have been staging ongoing protests to demand higher wages amid rapidly rising living expenses, according to those supporting the workers. The demonstrations began on May 15, when some 6,000 employees of the Tsang Yih shoe factory, a manufacturer for the global brand Adidas, went on strike at Yangon’s Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone. After three more protests, the Taiwanese-owned company conceded to all of the workers’ demands, raising their pay, including daily wage and allowances, to 12,000 kyat a day. The minimum wage in Myanmar, set in 2018, is 4,800 kyat for an eight-hour day—worth around US$3 at the time, but just over a dollar at the current exchange rate. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent military coup, prices have risen dramatically in Myanmar, making it increasingly difficult for low-wage earners to survive on their incomes. During this year’s wage negotiations, which typically take place after Thingyan, the traditional New Year’s festival in April, the demand was for a daily wage of 13,000 kyat, according to an officer of the Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM). “This is a regular occurrence each year. Following the Thingyan holiday, negotiations between workers and employers for wage increases usually take place, with some resulting in agreements,” she said. The protests at the Tsang Yih factory in May and early June attracted significant public attention, spurring similar labour actions at other factories, the STUM officer told Myanmar Now. Workers at the GTIG factory in Yangon protest for higher wages in late May, leading to the factory’s agreement to their demands (Photo: STUM) Since then, workers from around a dozen factories across Yangon’s industrial zones—including those in the city’s Hlaing Tharyar, Shwepyithar, and South Dagon townships—have held protests to demand higher wages, she said. While some have been successful, others have resulted in efforts to intimidate the striking workers and their leaders, she added. At the Rum Yang (Myanmar) garment factory in the War Tayar Industrial Zone in Shwepyithar, workers ended a five-day strike on June 9 due to threats from a Department of Labour official. Currently, some factory owners have increased their workers’ daily wage to a maximum of 12,000 kyat. However, only a limited number of factories permit workers to organise and present their demands collectively, according to Myanmar Labour News. According to a representative of the outlet, some factories had increased daily wages to 10,000 kyat even before the protests, with most now offering between 9,000 to 12,000 kyat per day, he said. “These wages remain insufficient, with daily earnings under three dollars. Myanmar’s minimum wage still falls short of the lowest minimum wage among ASEAN countries,” he added. Since seizing power in February 2021, Myanmar’s military junta has twice ordered factory owners to increase wages by 1,000 kyat per day. However, these minimal gains have failed to keep pace with surging prices. Basic workers’ rights have been increasingly undermined under the regime, which continues to violate human rights across the country. Consequently, on June 5, the International Labour Organisation imposed sanctions on Myanmar under Article 33 of the ILO Constitution.

Yangon factory workers protest to demand higher wages

Wages have failed to keep pace with the steep rise in prices since the military seized power more than four years ago

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