EPZ labour unions propose measures to protect employee rights in COVID-19 recovery process

• 7 unions supported by 20 other organisations write to Labour Minister
• Request Govt. to consider paying Rs. 5,000 subsidy given to low income families to EPZ employees, especially those who were engaged in temporary work
• Says vital to take employees’ views and suggestions into consideration in post-COVID-19 short-term and long-term plans for sector
• Says employees must be provided with safe work environment upon return
• Says workers must not be retrenched using COVID-19 as excuse 

Labour unions and organisations that represent the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) employees have written to Foreign Affairs, Skills Development and Employment and Labour Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena with a set of proposals to ensure their employee rights and wellbeing within the COVID-19 pandemic situation and recovery process.

Among these are a proposal to the Government to provide the Rs. 5,000 subsidy allocated to poor families to the EPZ employees, especially to those who have been engaged in temporary work through manpower agencies.

While thanking the Minister for establishing a Ministerial Task Force with employees’ representation for managing the impact of the present COVID-19 disaster situation on the employers and employees, the labour unions and organisations said that the export manufacturing sector including the garment industry would face a challenging situation due to COVID-19 and short-term as well as long-term plans are essential with employees’ views and suggestions taken into consideration as they are a prime stakeholder in this sector.

“Over the last few decades, the contribution made towards Sri Lanka’s economy by the employees of export processing industries including the garment industry is immense. Therefore, it is a prime responsibility of the employers as well as the Government to ensure their rights and wellbeing at this difficult time,” they said. 

Proposals made by the labour union and other organisations are given below. 

n Take action to provide the Rs. 5,000 subsidy allocated to poor families to these employees also (especially to those who have been engaged in temporary work through manpower agencies). The government to intervene and pay the rent for houses or places of boarding for those who have been rendered helpless without salaries during the past month.

nWhen the Government decides to re-open the export processing industries, ensure that the employees in the factories that are re-opening and those who are maintaining their services up to now are provided with a safe service environment. The Government has a responsibility to ensure that not merely within the work place but that accommodation, transportation and other public services too follow the safety measures in what is being done as recommended by the Government and the World Health Organization.

n The present crisis should not be a reason for defaulting to pay the salaries, overtime allowances and festival advances due for the services rendered by employees over the past period of time. It is the responsibility of the Government to make sure that the employers take action to make these payments immediately.

n The State sector, the Board of Investment and the trade unions to build an integrated mechanism to receive the complaints regarding the basic needs of workers, their health and safety and for providing speedy solutions for these.

n The employers have already expressed on several occasions that it may be difficult to maintain the services of employees continuously within this present situation. As expressed by the Garment Exporters’ Association it is expected that the services of nearly 30% of overall garment industry workers will have to be terminated.

At a time when the entire population in the country is facing a severe economic and social crisis due to COVID-19 disaster, a very large number of people becoming unemployed in this manner will lead to a severe social catastrophe.

Similarly, the employers and the Government have a humane responsibility of not deserting the garment employees who have been shouldering a heavy burden in the country’s economy. Therefore, we present the following proposals with a view to protecting their worker rights and wellbeing: 

n Hold a genuine and open discussion with the employees and the trade unions on the current situation of the industry and the situation of the export companies. The employees have a right to know about the status of accounts (accounts in Sri Lanka and foreign countries) in companies and the companies should take steps to provide this information to the employees. Reveal the true picture of the profits earned by companies over last few years with the benefit of GSP+.

nAmidst potential changes that could take place in the global market and the local industry in the foreseeable future, employers, buyers and brands and the Government should work together and develop a process for continuation of employees’ payments during the next few months. These revenues should be received by all parties engaged in the production on a regular, temporary, and contract basis and those engaged in household production. Employee contracts to be continued during this period.

n Export companies and the Government to take action to influence international buyers and brands to purchase orders they have already placed. Make an international impact together with other countries in the region (such as Cambodia, Bangladesh) that have already taken action with regard to this matter.

nUtilising this situation no action should be taken to amend any laws that establish worker rights including laws that exist for dismissing employees from work. Any termination of service should be done under the existing legal system. Revise the current outdated compensation packages to match the current cost of living situations. The Government should not try to use this disaster situation to implement unified labour law system and other labour law reforms which are detrimental towards workers’ rights and being opposed by the workers labour movement over the years.

nIntervene immediately to look for new local and export markets. For example, currently there is a great demand for face masks and other protective apparel and Sri Lanka could take the lead in fulfilling this demand.

nIt is unfair to expect workers who are already getting a very low salary to sacrifice their salary to rescue the industry. If there is any need for salary cuts, it should be done from the senior managers and executives salaries and other benefits.

The labour unions that have signed the letter include Ceylon Mercantile Industrial and General Workers Union (CMU), Textile Garment and Clothing Workers Union, Dabindu Collective, Standup Movement Lanka, Shramabhimani Kendraya, Revolutionary Existence for Human Development, and Liberation Movement. They are supported by 20 other organisations.