Thousands of Rangoon's factory workers are on strike until they receive a pay rise. Workers from at least three garment factories are involved in the strike. All three factories have been forced to cease operations since early February. Garment factory workers earn about $50 per month plus overtime.

A minimum wage law was passed in March 2013, but setting a wage has been deferred because the Ministry of Labor has yet to conclude a study on workforce size, living standards and household expenses, which begin in late January after a two-year delay. There has been a sudden increase in wage-related strikes throughout Myanmar’s industrial zones over the past two years.

Workers’ low incomes have resulted in criminal offences, decreased productivity, conflict with employers, unethical behavior, corruption and other serious social consequences. Garment-makers say, prominent former political prisoners are getting involved in labor disputes. They say many of the city’s strikes are initiated by political groups. Under Myanmar’s long-ruling military junta, strikes were a taboo and trade unionists jailed and deemed terrorists, but the civilian government has passed laws allowing unions and industrial action. Strikes have become more commonplace since 2012.

More strikes are likely in the run-up to national elections slated for late 2015.