Sri Lankan apparel workers in Sri Lanka by and large remain deprived of an emergency allowance of $27 per month in addition to their regular pay. The allowance is meant to help them cope with the economic crisis in the country.
The emergency relief allowance was instituted on the demand of the worker’s unions to cope with the effects of evaluation and rampant inflation that plagued Sri Lanka. A study on the implementation of the ERA regime was conducted by Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC). The CCI in its briefing alleged that the workers are not being paid the full amount of ERA.
The CCC study further disclosed that many workers did not even get any amount against the ERA, moreover, they have been given bonuses on conditions like perfect attendance. The CCC appealed to the major brands sourcing from Sri Lanka to take responsibility in this regard and ask their suppliers to grant workers their due rights.
Many reputable brands are sourcing their apparel from Sri Lanka that include Nike, Gap, PHV, Columbia sportswear, Amazon, Marks & Spencer, Victoria’s Secret, Asos, Next, Patagonia, and Ralph Lauren. The report regrets that organizations in CCI made several attempts to engage the apparel brands sourcing from the Island country to help workers get their due rights but their requests were mostly ignored.
The CCC report calls upon brands to ensure that the workers in their Sri Lankan supply chains are paid the ERA unconditionally and that their right to organise and to have decent working conditions in line with the conventions of the international labour organization are safeguarded.
The joint secretary of the Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees’ Union Anton Marcus, said it is the responsibility of the brands to ensure that workers get their legal dues and are treated well. If factories fail in this regard then the buyers should step in and contribute financially to make it possible.
Brands accused of ignoring apparel worker’s Rights in Sri Lanka
