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Govt to create a fair playing field for apparel workers, TUC

06 Jul '10
5 min read

These rights are not exercisable in the apparel sector. Attempts to form, join unions or bargain collectively are crushed very often by mass dismissals. Labour authorities are silent over unfair labour practices. Some of the evidence presented in the petition astonishingly relate to Sri Lanka's leading big names of the apparel industry.

Since the adoption of the law against unfair labour practices over a decade ago, yet not a single meaningful prosecution has taken place. The law is a virtual dead letter. All cases of the last two decades, before the ILO quasi-judicial body based in Geneva, are exclusively on the Sri Lankan apparel sector or involving apparel sector organisations. Low pay and excessive work pressure has a telling impact on female garment workers. A government study published in 2007, states that garment workers are suffering from chronic malnutrition, alarming levels of anaemia and the health conditions of these workers are worse, compared to women engaged in security services. Due to these dreadful and exploitative working atmospheres, workers are deserting the apparel sector and today a large number of vacancies exist. As reported repeatedly in the local media, employers are finding it extremely difficult to recruit workers and are compelled to employ various ploys to attract them. The true reality of these female workers is far from what is projected to the outside world. The time has come for us to put an end to this lawless exploitation.

It is besides this backdrop that a review is sought in the US GSP to engage this exploitation and lawlessness in the apparel sector. This is not an attempt to bring the government of Sri Lanka in to disrepute or infringe the sovereignty of the State or its people. This is an attempt to guarantee basic rights of workers and compel employers observe all local labour laws in its true spirit.

We seek to bring to an end the politicisation of labour law enforcement by apparel sector employers and create a just and fair playing field for workers and trade unions. Such a de-politicisation and an atmosphere guaranteeing respect for rule of law at work place level will enable workers gain better benefits and help create a satisfied workforce. This will ease the political pressure on the government.

The TUC hopes the government will be considerate to the plight of the apparel workers. The TUC urges the government to begin immediately a genuine and constructive process of engagement of relevant issues in order to put things in order and save the US GSP.

Trade Union Confederation (TUC)

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