Myanmar Garment Factories Face Labour Shortage Amid Surge In Orders

Garment factories in Myanmar’s industrial zones are experiencing a surge in orders, but a shortage of local workers is creating job opportunities for job seekers, according to industry sources.

“As a garment factory, our order intake is strong. We’ve received numerous orders intended for Bangladesh, amounting to hundreds of thousands. The volume of orders has increased significantly. Typically, orders are placed for a four-month period, but now they are ordering for an entire year,” a factory owner explained.

While these factories have more opportunities to secure international orders, many local workers are moving illegally to garment industries abroad, particularly in China, exacerbating the labour shortage.

“It’s beneficial to have more orders, but without workers, it’s challenging. With increased orders, we face a labour shortage. Workers are now migrating illegally to industrial zones on the border with China, where they are hired based on their practical skills and offered living and meal allowances. Most migrate illegally and do not need a passport,” the owner said.

An HR manager at another garment factory highlighted the current demand for workers in the industry, urging job seekers to take advantage of the available opportunities.

“We need workers now, so we encourage people to come and work. There are many opportunities. Some workers have even gone back to their home cities to bring relatives to work. It’s common to see siblings working together in the same factory,” he noted.