A garment factory in Yangon’s industrial Hlaing Tharyar Township has dismissed 12 worker leaders—including labor union executives—after they lodged official complaints with government agencies over wage and bonus cuts, according to the Solidarity of Trade Unions Myanmar (STUM).

Management at Spring Moon Garment Co., Ltd. terminated three workers on August 24 and the remaining nine on August 25, citing "downsizing" in their termination letters.

The firings occurred shortly after workers escalated grievances to the Department of Labour Relations (DLR) following retaliatory demotions by the company.

The dispute began when long-serving employees reported unexpected bonus reductions to the Factories and General Labour Laws Inspection Department (FGLLID).

Although management and workers had previously reached a mutual agreement on August 11 regarding daily allowances, overtime pay, and production targets, factory officials allegedly targeted the leaders who spearheaded the initial negotiations.

Among those dismissed are the president, executive committee members, and regular union members.

While three workers accepted severance pay under pressure, STUM stated it will press charges against the factory for illegal union busting regarding the remaining union officials.

“They assume that if they get rid of the union, the demands will stop,” an STUM representative said, emphasizing that removing union leadership leaves the remaining workforce vulnerable to increased exploitation.