Unions in India and Sri Lanka call for sustainable industrial policy28 June, 2018Trade unions in India and Sri Lanka underlined that strengthening national level social dialogue and incorporating workers’ views in industrial policy making are crucial to develop sustainable industrial policy and a Just Transition that protects current workers, while creating new decent work in sustainable industries.
Need for youth policy, say young unionists18 August, 2021In August, national youth forums were held online for IndustriALL affiliates in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka respectively. Participants called for youth policies in their unions, stressing the inclusion of women.
Unions demand wage increase amidst Sri Lanka’s economic crisis 29 March, 2022Heavily dependent on tourism, Sri Lanka’s economic situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prices of essential commodities like fuel, medicines, milk and wheat, as well as public transport fares, have shot up and unions are calling for wage increases for workers to survive.
Attack on trade union rights in Sri Lanka 31 May, 2023In another attempt to weaken trade union strength, the Sri Lankan government has arbitrarily removed four trade unions, including IndustriALL affiliates, from the reconstituted National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC).
Organizing workers in Sri Lankan Free Trade Zones27 October, 2015A workshop was organized on 25 October in Colombo under the IndustriALL/Unifor organizing project for women organizers and activists in Sri Lankan Export Processing Zones (EPZs). The participants were from IndustriALL affiliated unions in Sri Lanka involved in organizing workers in the Katunayake, Biyagama & Panadura Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in Sri Lanka.
Solidarity works! Sri Lankan workers vote for union9 February, 2017Setting a strong standard for other workers in the Sri Lankan free trade zones, workers at industrial gloves manufacturer ATG voted to establish their union on 7 February.
Australian unions protest denial of visas to dismissed Ansell workers26 August, 2014Unions held a rally outside of Ansell’s Australian headquarters following the denial of entry visas to a delegation of Sri Lankan union members. The Australian government denied the visas in an apparent attempt to shield glove and condom maker Ansell from public exposure of its harsh and unjust treatment of its workers in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka: workers reveal violence and sexual harassment21 July, 2016Workers in Sri Lanka revealed experiences of violence, sexual harassment and dangerous working conditions, during an IndustriALL Global Union workshop in Negombo on 11 and 12 July.
How can unions promote sustainable industrial employment in South Asia? IndustriALL affiliates are figuring it out.11 August, 2016On August 8-9, IndustriALL affiliates from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka met in Kathmandu to discuss how to implement IndustriALL’s sustainable industrial employment agenda in their countries and to devise a regional strategy.
IndustriALL and CCC denounce Palla shoemaker in Sri Lanka25 September, 2014The IndustriALL affiliated FTZGSEU union in Sri Lanka is campaigning for workers’ justice at Palla and Company Ltd. after mass sackings and union-busting by the employer. Bata is one of the major brands to have sourced from Palla and now needs to live up to its supply chain responsibilities.
