A total of 64 factories in Myanmar's commercial city of Yangon have been charged with violation of labor rights and the authorities are taking action against the employers, official media quoted Labor Law Inspection Department as reporting Wednesday.

The factory employers were accused of forcing many workers, especially from garment factories, to work overtime.

Under the factory rules, working hours shall not exceed eight hours per day and the work week shall not exceed six days per week.

Of the 64 factories breaking the labor rules, 40 have been punished, leaving the rest being under investigation.

Most of such labor cases occurred in Hlaingtharya and Shwepyithar industrial zones, the report said.

In October, two garment factories in Shwelinban and Dagon (East) industrial zones had been punished, the report added.

The Myanmar government has pledged to promote and protect labor rights, including ending forced labor in the country.

The Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population invited all interested partners to join with the government in its efforts to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on labor-related issues.

The ministry also called on the country's employers to respect the rights of workers in accordance with the Labor Law while pursuing their own interest, urging them to prepare to maximize their workplace efficiency and hone their skill in their chosen areas of work.

Myanmar saw 1,917 labor organizations at basic level, 105 at township level and 14 at region or state level, seven labor federation and one labor confederation.