The Solidarity Trade Union Myanmar (STUM) told DVB that three rounds of negotiations between management of the JOC Myanmar garment factory in Yangon’s Shwepyitha Township and its staff over a wage dispute achieved no results Dec. 29 to Jan. 3.
A STUM spokesperson told DVB on the condition of anonymity that workers at JOC Myanmar garment factory went on strike Dec. 29 to protest a reduction in daily wages from 12,000 MMK ($3 USD) to 7,800 MMK ($2 USD).
During negotiations, workers demanded management reinstate their 12,000 MMK ($3 USD) daily wage along with paid overtime, bonuses, and free work uniforms. They report that their monthly wages have been reduced by over 150,000 MMK ($38.6 USD) per worker.
The Chinese-owned JOC Myanmar, which previously operated under the name of COSTEC International Co. Ltd, employs 1,000 workers in Shwepyitha Industrial Zone 3 in Yangon Region.
It is unclear which clothing brands JOC Myanmar takes orders from, but it previously did from Spanish fast fashion retail brand ZARA, Turkish retailer LC Waikiki, as well as Japan’s X Shelter, Zero Stage and Colopuca.
A garment factory worker told STUM that the JOC Myanmar factory management notified them that operations have been impacted by the strike. Workers added that management has begun removing textiles and materials, making them fear a possible shut down.
The STUM stated on Jan. 4 that it has received over 230 cases requesting their assistance on labour and workplace rights violations in 2025. It added that women make up 68 per cent of the total 11,907 victims in labour rights violations.
Founder Myo Myo Aye, her daughter Chu Chu Thwe, and six other members, were charged under Section 5 of the Law Concerning Recidivism on Aug. 8. The eight trade unionists were arrested in July.
The Law Concerning Recidivism was enacted in 2015 by then-President Thien Sein. If convicted, the sentence is a maximum three years in prison.
