Stay updated with breaking news from Existence For Human Development. Get real-time updates on events, politics, business, and more. Visit us for reliable news and exclusive interviews.
While the unions calling the May Day rally represented more than 100,000 workers only 1,500 attended, another indication of the deepening distrust of the union apparatus among broad layers of the working class.
Long before COVID-19 hit Sri Lanka’s shores, grassroots women’s organisations fought poverty pay, long hours, and unsafe working conditions in the country's garment manufacturing districts. These organisations have been advocating for the people producing high-end clothing for brands such as H&M, Next, JC Penny, Benetton, Marks & Spencer, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren and Triumph. Garments account for approximately 45% of Sri Lanka's export income. Up to 85% of workers employed in this sector are women working in assembly line operations, who earn between LKR12,000 and 20,000 per...
by Melani Manel Perera The shutdown of nine factories in two free trade zones has resulted in more than 3,400 people, mostly young migrant women, losing their job. RED and other humanitarian organisations are providing food and assistance, including legal aid, to the unemployed. Colombo (AsiaNews) – Due to the health emergency, nine factories have closed down and more than 3,400 people employed at the Katunayake and Biyagama Free Trade Zones (FTZ) have lost their job. For the Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED) advocacy group, the government and investors have done nothing t...
Sri Lankan garment workers demand movement to protect rights Clothing factory workers hard hit as the economy reels from the Covid-19 crisis Trending A report on the social and economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic on free trade zone workers in Sri Lanka was launched on Dec. 17. (Photo: Melani Manel). Niranjalee Sudhammika, a Sri Lankan garment factory worker, lost her job in April and has not received any compensation from the factory or the government. She was hired by a manpower agency and received her wages at the end of the month through the agency after commission was deduc...