The Chinese owner of Ah Nan Garment Factory in Shwelinban Industrial Zone in Hlinethaya Township, Yangon Region, has run away without paying salaries to over 300 workers, said factory workers. 

“The factory owner is still inside the country. He has not been allowed to leave. But we cannot not contact him,” said Hnin Thazin, coordinator from Industrial Workers' Federation of Myanmar-IWFM. 

Ohn Mar Thin, member of the worker union at the factory, said a complaint was sent to authorities prior to their boss’ runaway but there was no inspection paving the way for him to abscond. 

“As we suspected that the boss would run away, we submitted letters for inspection visits. But no one came here. So he grabbed the opportunity to run away. There is no textile roll at the factory. The machines were also replaced with old ones,” Ohn Mar Thin said. 

 Hine Thazin said: “The factory manager told us on November 13 that the factory would close down by December. Therefore, we was monitoring the factory. The owner called a meeting on November 24 and said he had difficulty continuing to operate the factory. He did not officially talk about factory closure. However, we saw some machines being taken out. So we sent a letter to the Township General Administration Department on November 25 saying that his passport and factory license should be held. That department and the Immigration Department then seized his passport, factory license and departure form.”    

She however said she had no idea about the rumour that those documents had been taken again with the help of an interpreter. The news could not be true, she added. 

The Hlinethaya Township Immigration Department could not be reached when contacted about the case.  

Nay Lin, secretary of the factory worker union, questioned how authorities would do for the over 300 workers.