Garment employees alarmed over Minister’s statement
Hundreds of garment industry employees expressed concern over a recent statement made by Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena that the government would not be supporting garment industries.
Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees’ Union Joint Secretary Anton Marcus yesterday expressed concern at a demonstration held near the Viharamahadevi Park to protest against the government’s decision to discontinue its support to garment industries.
He said more than 500 workers from Koggala, Biyagama and the Katunayake Free Trade Zones, tea plantation workers and garment industry workers from Mannar and Batticaloa had joined the protest.
Speaking about the consequences of government’s decision he said the union was alarmed about its consequences to workers employed in garment indus-
The workers in the garment industry have no alternative. Most of them are employed in the garment sector for more than 10 years
tries.
“The workers in the garment industry have no alternative. Most of them are employed in the garment sector for more than 10 years,” he said.
Marcus said the union had suggestions to improve investments in garment industries. He claimed that one of the main advantages of the Sri Lanka’s garment industry sector was that its workers were highly educa-
More than 500 workers from Koggala, Biyagama and the Katunayake Free Trade Zones, tea plantation workers and garment industry workers from Mannar and Batticaloa had joined the protest
ted compared to workers in India, Bangladesh or Pakistan.
Speaking on ways to attract investment, Marcus said “If the government is willing to implement labour laws and hold International Labour Organization conventions gratified by the government, we can market that.”
He explained that this would be a major strength because consumers are very concerned about labour conditions of the workers who produce garments and apparel. He added that since India, Vietnam and Bangladesh do not have strict labour laws, it would give Sri Lanka an edge over its competitors.