EU, Germany concerned over unfair labour practices
The European Union and the German embassy in Sri Lanka have raised strong objections over allegedly unfair labour practices at two factories in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ) also suggesting that the problem – if not resolved - could derail the country’s bid for GSP+.
The intervention came at the request of IndustriALL Global Union, a worldwide union grouping, which complained that union officials had been sacked and unions ‘busting’ were among other problems at the ATG Ceylon (Pvt) and ATG Occupational factories at the FTZ.
The global body said it was acting on behalf of a member organization - the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union ( FTZ& GSEU) in Sri Lanka. It has written to 19 ambassadors based in Colombo including the UK High Commissioner. The companies comprise UK-Sri Lankan investments.
While the German Ambassador Jorn Rohde expressed his concerns to Labour Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne in a January 24 letter where he also drew attention to the ‘alleged failure of Sri Lankan author- ities to enforce compliance with the respective legal provisions”, EU Sri Lanka Ambassador Tung- Lai Margue urged the same minister to ensure that “the upcoming (union) vote at both the concerned factories on Friday (January 27) follows acceptable standards and procedures that are required”.
He also pointed out that compliance with the core ILO labour conventions is a key requirement to qualify for GSP+.
IndustriALL Global Union said that in addition to union busting, managers at these factories had tried to silence work- ers “addressing toxic chemicals and their safety at work, sacked the local union president and fired a woman who complained of sexual harassment by a male colleague and sectional manager”.
It said the Sri Lankan government and the Board of Investment did little to enforce the law, allowing these violations to continue with impunity. The Department of Labour has two cases pending against ATG Ceylon and Occupational for unfair labour practices.
ATG has failed to act on advice from the Labour Minister to prevent unfair labour practices, the global union said adding that the company was insisting on holding a union recognition vote at the two factories, despite the union being formally recognised as a social bargaining partner since 2013.
“The vote will take place at both factories on 27 January and we are very concerned that management interference and harassment will block a free and fair workplace vote. Management is currently intimidating and harassing workers against voting in support of the union.”
Labour Ministry or officials from the companies were not immediately available for comment on the developments.
On Friday, FTZ&GSEU convener and general secretary Anton Marcus said the January 27 vote has been postponed to February 7.
He told the Business Times, on an earlier occasion, that the fact that the European Commission (EC) has included labour rights as a requisite to receiving GSP+ especially freedom of association and collective bargaining indicates that this too is an issue similar to the matter on human rights.
Two weeks ago the EC recommended the restoration of these keenly-awaited trade concessions for Sri Lanka with government leaders immediately welcoming the move.
This recommendation would now be sent to the European Parliament and the Council of Member States which within two months can raise objections and even ask for an extension to do so by a further two months. Should any objections gain ground then the trade concessions would not be offered to Sri Lanka; but if the concessions are allowed then it would become effective from the date it was announced by the EC.