Yangon Region government minister for Immigration and Human Resources Ministry Moe Moe Suu Kyi told Mizzima that in the backdrop of economic crisis due to COVID-19, some factories were permanently closed, some were temporarily closed and some laid off their workers and the total number of these factories had reached 125 but she did not disclose further details on how many factories were temporarily closed and how many factories were permanently closed.

“Not only temporarily and permanently closed, some factories laid off their workers. The total number of those factories either temporarily or permanently closed is 125. We do not assume those who are laid off from their factories are unemployed because those who lost their work under various circumstances must find another job which will be suitable for their living standards,” Minister Moe Moe Suu Kyi said.

There are a total 29 industrial zones and Thilawa Special Economic Zone in Yangon Region. Yangon Region government said that total 59 factories were either temporarily or permanently closed and some factories laid off their workers until March 2020, about 17,000 workers were laid off.

Most of those factories which temporarily or permanently closed are garment factories.

The main reasons they are closed are shortage of raw materials and loss of job.

Yangon Region government said that those who lost or were laid off from their work would be given priority for employment when factories reopened.

 Workers make disposable surgical gown at a garment factory in Yangon, Myanmar, 02 May 2020.