Guest Lecture: Working life in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones
Guest Lecture: Working life in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones
Veteran Sri Lankan trade union leader Anton Marcus will give a lunch time lecture about the struggle of workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones on Friday the 28th of August in Wellington.
Trade liberalisation in the garment sector and other industries has wrought havoc with job security, wages and conditions for workers in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones. The majority of workers in the Free Trade Zone garment factories and tea plantations are women and independent research commissioned by UnionAID last year revealed most struggle with low pay and long hours while many also endure sexual harassment.
As Joint-Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees’ Union (FTZ&GSEU) Anton Marcus has worked unwaveringly to turn the tide against rights’ abuses in the workplace and against the government’s attempts to suppress the right of freedom of association. Despite violence and intimidation from employers the FTZ&GSEU has grown to over 20,000 members and become a real force for change on behalf of Sri Lankan workers.
Where: First Union meeting room, Fraser House, Level 4/160 Willis St
When: 12:30 – 1:15, Friday 28 August
No RSVP required, please contact michael@unionaid.org.nz with any questions
Tea and coffee will be provided. Bring your own lunch.
