Whilst the number of recognised unions in the Sri Lankan EPZs is still low, the briefing shows that the unions have started to breach the fortress of the export processing zones, thereby raising hopes that the most basic workers' rights, that are currently being flaunted there, will gradually be respected.
The briefing tackles a range of questions - including "What strategies are these unions using to organise in the EPZs, which are known as anti-union bastions in Sri Lanka as elsewhere? What obstacles have they met? What concrete results have been achieved by the workers who organise to defend themselves?
How can you combat the traditional opposition from employers and the authorities, whilst adopting strategies to include the young and female workforce?" - and come up with answers that are illustrated by concrete examples and testimonies.
The first Sri Lankan employers to have moved towards social dialogue also provide encouraging signs.
"Little by little, I have understood the value of having real trade union delegates, who can ask advice from their federation, who are learning how to engage in dialogue, who understand what things might be improved and always prefer to achieve this through negotiation", explains a human resources manager from a textile company that produces clothes for the Liz Claiborne label, amongst others.
The ICFTU represents 155 million workers in 241 affiliated organisations in 156 countries and territories.
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
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