|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 25 August 2002 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Task Force set up to look into their welfare: 100,000 female FTZ workers to benefit by Don Asoka Wijewardena A Task Force to look into the health,safety and welfare of female workers in the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) has been set up by the Ministry of Labour with the assistance of some concerned agencies under the Chairman ship of the Minister of Employment and Labour Mahinda Samarasingha. The "Task Force" comprises the Secretary to the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Director of Health Education Bureau,members of the Consultative Committee, Ministry of Labour,Secretary to the Ministry of Health,and employers of the Free Trade Zones. In an interview with the "Sunday Observer",the Minister pointed out that approximately one-hundred thousand female workers were employed in the Free Trade Zones located at Katunayaka, Biyagama and Sithawaka and about 85 to 90 per cent workers belonging to different social strata and cultures had migrated from rural areas to the cities in search of employment and, about 85 per cent between the ages of 18 to 29,were unmarried. The Minister said that the legislation related to safety,health and welfare was enacted in 1942 and it did not address important aspects of modern-day work and risks to human health. The Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the Department of Labour has also conducted an extensive survey on the needs of female workers and has found that the female workforce employed in the Free Trade Zones were exposed to a multitude of "uncontrolled" problems outside the workplaces. The survey had also revealed that their living conditions in boarding houses are deplorable, especially sanitation, housing and diet which left much to be desired. Their safety is a cause for concern, because the Labour Department has found that house-owners, traders and young men of the area exploit them. Street lighting,transport and police protection also need more attention. According to the Department of Labour,the appointment of a "Task Force" representing concerned agencies will identify needs and problems faced by female workers in the FTZs and implement policies and strategies to address the issues and improve their quality of life. The terms of reference are as follows: 1. Develop policies and strategies to improve the quality of life of female workers in the FTZs; 2. Identify issues that affect the female workers at the workplace and in the community,particularly those related to health, safety, housing, sanitation, nutrition, recreation and sexual harassment; 3. Identify deficiencies in the health services available to them, including reproductive and occupational health services,and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing a special health service which will cater to the needs of workers; 4. Identify deficiencies and recommend measures to improve their housing and living conditions. The Minister is expected to visit Katunayaka Free Trade Zone on October 14 and Biyagama Free Trade Zone on October 15 with officials to inspect the working conditions provided by employers. He will also visit the neighbouring boarding houses of female workers. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
