Page 18 - May-June-2017

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Innovation award received

by Soorty Denim

Munich Fabric Start- an event that took place in and dry by moving in a damp condition, keeping
March this year, the Soorty Denim Active got the the moisture out of the body and allowing it to
awards of Hightex innovation for its new Denim evaporate more quickly. The Coolmax Eco Made
Active concept. According to the manufacturers of fibre is made from 97% recycled resources such as
the idea the new concept blurs the borders plastic bottles, providing lesser material for the land
between the sport and casual wear and combines fill by end of its age. On the other hand the Lycra
the two lifestyles. fibre can provide 360 degree of stretch and is a
light weight fabric combining with comfort and
Denim for athleisure, made with Coolmax Eco softness making it perfect to be used in gym,
Made technology, helps to keep the wearer cool cycling, shopping and more, the company reports.

MEPs demand respect for

labor rights in Sri Lanka

Workers must have the rights to bargain and keep on being exploited.”
organize, said was in a report fact finding of mission
to Sri Lanka in addition to the Members of the The delegation, that included representatives from
European Parliament. The suggestion was made trade union 3F of Denmark, the International Trans-
with the focus on the fact these rights are substantial port Workers Federation (ITWF) and Clean Clothes
if one need to grant the country with preferential Campaign (CCC), had a meeting with the workers
trading conditions by the European Union. and trade union leaders who have been subject to
harassment, illegal dismissal, sexual harassment
MEP Lola Sánchez Caldentey said in a statement and labor rights violations in the Free Trade Zones of
that, “We are willing to give preferences to Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
but only if we are sure that the benefit also goes to
the workers.” The mission took places between 10 On meeting the subjects, the delegates showed
and 12th of april 2017 and the participants were their serious concerns about the use of manpower
invited by the IndustriALL Sri Lanka Council to agencies for co-working arrangements, which have
assess the country’s progress in human and labour undermined freedom of association and collective
rights compliance in relation to the re-application by bargaining in Sri Lanka. Another concern showed
the Government of Sri Lanka for the EU’s General- was about the interference of the judiciary on the
ized System of Preferences Plus status (GSP+). labor disputes. IndustriALL’s assistant general
secretary, Jenny Holdcroft, in response to this fact
As a result of more than 10 meeting sin Sir Lanka, finding mission said that “It is good that EU Parlia-
Sánchez Caldentey said that: “If the European Union mentarians have been to Sri Lanka to see for
consumers knew the abusive conditions under themselves the conditions for workers. We hope that
which the women make the cloth that they buy, they this will encourage the EU to put proper protections
would be ashamed.” At the same time the MEP in place to ensure that the benefits of trade are
Anne-Marie Mineur added: “The government must passed on to Sri Lankan workers. Full respect for the
ensure that these workers can organize themselves rights to freedom of association and to bargain
through trade unions, because otherwise they will collectively is essential.”