IndustriALL Global Union which represents 50 million workers in 140 countries in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors has written to Labour Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva requesting the to “intervene in the dispute, to expedite the process of inquiry and settlement, and protect the rights of workers, as well as stand by Sri Lanka’s commitment to the international community, by making sure that the ratification of ILO conventions C87 and C98 doesn’t remain only on paper.”
The press release by IndustriALL Global Union:
25 December, 2021
Press Release
IndustriALL Global Union write to Sri Lankan Labour Minister on ATG Union Busting
In a letter dated 22 nd December, 2021, the IndustriALL Global Union, which represents 50 million workers in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors in 140 countries, including Sri Lanka, has written to Sri Lankan Labour Minister, Nimal Siripala De Silva, to flag grave concerns regarding anti-union practices by ATG Gloves Knitting Pvt. Ltd., Wathupitiwala.
The letter signed by the General Secretary of IndustriALL, Atle Høie, requests the Labour Minister to “intervene in the dispute, to expedite the process of inquiry and settlement, and
protect the rights of workers, as well as stand by Sri Lanka’s commitment to the international community, by making sure that the ratification of ILO conventions C87 and C98 doesn’t remain only on paper.”
In August, 2021, 16 workers were dismissed by the ATG Factory in Wathupitiwala, for forming and joining the Commercial and Industrial Workers Union (CIWU). Since then, ATG has engaged in several anti-Union practices, including coercing workers with money to ‘settle’ their cases, holding workshops inside the factory against the formation of Unions whilst violating COVID-19 protocols, defaming union leaders, and racially inciting workers against a Tamil Union leader. Cases have been filed with the Labour Department in Gampaha, against the ATG Wathupitiwala factory, for propagating unfair labour practices. However, the Labour Department is yet to file a case in the Magistrates Court for any past or continuous offences committed by ATG.