After two decades, Lanka embraces forgotten textile generation of ’82

Wednesday, 13 February 2013 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

196 of their comrades are no more. But after more than two decades of repeated efforts by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce – with strong backing from Parliamentarian Vasudeva Nanayakkara – 3,605 Lankan textile employees who suddenly lost their livelihood during the 1980-’82 period and were left destitute finally received monetary compensation and due recognition on 12 February in Colombo.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen presents the first compensation to a recipient as Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Anura Siriwardene (far left),

Minister of National Languages and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara (second from left), and Senior Minister – Rural Affairs Athauda Seneviratne (third from left) look on

“Our Government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa has not forgotten about your contribution and in fact believes Lankan worker rights are a main priority,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen on 12 February.

“From the very first day I took over office as the Industry and Commerce Minister, representatives of these helpless ex-employees, once the backbone of our national textile sector, kept on visiting and meeting me with their appeals. We took on their request promptly and supported by the continuous efforts of my former Ministry Secretary Tilak Collure and Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara, we pressed on. As a result, today I am happy to say that, you, the remaining and deserving workers, won at last, and it makes us all very happy. Sadly, some of your colleagues and comrades who came to meet me just a couple of years ago are no more. In fact, we regret that as of now, 196 of your colleagues have died and it is sad that they couldn’t survive to see this day.”

Bathiudeen, with the participation of Minister of National Languages and Social Integration Vasudeva Nanayakkara and Senior Minister – Rural Affairs Athauda Seneviratne, top officials including Ministry of Industry and Commerce Secretary Anura Siriwardene, was addressing more than 100 former State-owned textile industry workers who represented the 3,605 workers who suddenly lost their livelihoods due to privatisation and closure of 64 State-owned textile and garment institutions in the 1980-1982 period as a result of the policy measure adopted by the then Government.

On 4 July last year, Cabinet approved compensation for these 3,605 helpless, laid-off workers, who were not entitled to a pension since their employment was less than 10 years. These workers are compensated by the Government at a cost of $ 2.6 m (Rs. 329.08 m), in two stages of payments.

A few of the 3,605 compensation award recipients look on in anticipation at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce yesterday

Each worker is paid $ 135 per year (Rs. 17,000) of employment, and their final compensation amount is calculated at this rate for the total number of years they served. On 12 February 100 invited former workers represented their 3,605 total colleagues at the distribution ceremony, which made the payments allocated in Stage I.

“We continuously pleaded to government after government that came to power, but there was no result,” said Seilin Nona (65), who lost her job at Kalutara Vyaparaya (Nagoda Division). “We couldn’t be more grateful to you for this assistance. Thank you!” she said.

Nanayakkara addressing the event said: “Today we are not performing an act of mercy, but fulfilling the obligation that is owed to you by the country. We salute you! This is an extra Budget expenditure item, beyond the routine allocations. The Government President Mahinda Rajapaksa respects workers and their efforts. Therefore, despite financial difficulties, we are fulfilling our duties to you.”