After the owners of Myanmar Royal Appolo garment factory in Shwepyitha Industrial Zone (2) and Suxin (Myanmar) garment factory in Shwelinban Industrial, Hlinethaya Township, in Yangon Region, ran away without paying salaries, the workers from the two factories are facing difficulties with their living conditions,  so they went to the Region government on March 30 for seeking help. 

The two Chinese owners of the factories fled and went into hiding without paying salaries for February to their workers. 

The workers marched from Myanigon bus stop to the government office. 

“We sent a letter on March 17. Tomorrow, I have to pay for my hostel rent for two months. I had to apologize to the landlord for failure to pay last month as I was not paid. We can set up huts to live in front of the factory. But there are families behind us. We have to pay hostel rents. We have to feed our families. The owner ran away so we are demanding authorities to solve the problem in a certain way,” said worker Min Swe Oo from Myanmar Royal Appolo garment factory. 

Some workers said they wanted the region to help so that their salaries can be paid before the Thingyan period as they are not paid salaries for February until the end of March. 

“As we have yet to be paid for two months, we have difficulty with our living conditions. We also have to be worried about our health. We come from other towns. We have many difficulties as we are not paid. We have to send money to our families. We want our salaries before the Thingyan period,” said worker Phyu Phyu Swe from Suxin (Myanmar). 

The workers were received by Region Minister for Immigration and Human Resources Moe Moe Su Kyi. She said plans are being made to auction machinery and materials from the two factories to pay the workers. But she said she didn’t know how long will it take.