Make a dialogue on the issue of manpower workers is essential – Dabindu Collective
Jan 31, 2017While the over 2000 manpower workers struggling to fulfill their demand on permanent employment at SL Telecom, Dabindu Collective launched a research report titled, ‘‘Living for the day’ : Contract workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones’ at auditorium of Sri Lanka Foundation in Colombo on Jan 30, 2017.
Addressing gathering Chamila Thushari of Dabindu Collective said that they are going to organize a program to make a dialogue on the issue of manpower workers at FTZ
“We urge to trade unions and civil society organizations to read our research report and join with us to work for the benefit of manpower workers.”
She added, “There are differences between FTZ manpower workers and manpower workers of outside of FTZ.”
Lawyer B. Skanthakumar and Lawyer Lakmali Hemachandra spoke out the issue of manpower workers in the FTZ and other places in the island. Both of them pointed out the need of building relationship between the manpower workers and employer.
The Research Report pointed out the pathetic plight of manpower workers in Free Trade Zones as follows:
“It is noted how precarious work is associated with insecurity of employment; lower and/or variable earnings; longer and arbitrary working hours; poorer occupational safety and health; reduced opportunities for training and skills development; lack of representation and fundamental rights at works; and limited or non-existent social security benefits. Additionally there is a toll on the health and wellbeing of workers and therefore also of their households and communities” (page 67).
Manpower worker shared her bad experiences at the event.
“We urge to trade unions and civil society organizations to read our research report and join with us to work for the benefit of manpower workers.”
She added, “There are differences between FTZ manpower workers and manpower workers of outside of FTZ.”
Lawyer B. Skanthakumar and Lawyer Lakmali Hemachandra spoke out the issue of manpower workers in the FTZ and other places in the island. Both of them pointed out the need of building relationship between the manpower workers and employer.
The Research Report pointed out the pathetic plight of manpower workers in Free Trade Zones as follows:
“It is noted how precarious work is associated with insecurity of employment; lower and/or variable earnings; longer and arbitrary working hours; poorer occupational safety and health; reduced opportunities for training and skills development; lack of representation and fundamental rights at works; and limited or non-existent social security benefits. Additionally there is a toll on the health and wellbeing of workers and therefore also of their households and communities” (page 67).
Manpower worker shared her bad experiences at the event.
Lawrence Ferdinando - Colombo
