ACILS presents report on global economic crisis

"Employers have used the global economic crisis to get rid of trade union leaders and 'trouble makers' in their work places or lay off people for their own benefits," said a report released by the American Centre for International Labour Solidarity (ACILS), Sri Lanka. The plight of the Sri Lankan workers in three sectors - garment, tourism and migrant workers, affected by the global economic crisis has been detailed.

The study SCILS called a 'rapid assessment', was not a scientific sample survey to give estimates of the number of workers affected or correct quantitative figures on their issues but is based on interviews with a sample of 470 persons selected from all three sectors.

However, since there is no reliable information related to the issues of the workers affected by the global economic crisis this report provides a preliminary view of problems faced by the workers.

Most of the workers who lost their jobs last year due to the global economic crisis do not point a finger to the global crisis, but instead express it in their own terms such as reduction in orders and low tourist arrivals

Most of the female garment workers lost their jobs as they were terminated due to the closure of factories. Those in tourism and migrant sectors have decided to resign when they started experiencing the effect of the economic crisis.

The workers who were terminated by employers as well as those who resigned during the last year claim that they experienced a cut back on various benefits they received before they were laid off/decided to resign. The majority of those who resigned had taken the decision as working under the new conditions was not worthwhile.

Those who were lucky to retain their jobs during this period, mainly in the garment sector, claimed that they have also had to compromise on many benefits that they used to enjoy.

In many cases employees have been terminated without prior notice or with compensation and other benefits. Many of them have not received their dues.

Since there are no trade unions most of them have not taken action against the employers.

Some are hesitant to do anything against their previous employers as they are hoping to rejoin the same workplace.

Others are either not aware of where they can get assistance nor bother about such time consuming processes, because their priority is to look after their dependents.

The report said that the workers have slashed their spending on day to day expenses. report suggests educating workers on their rights, remedial action they can take, provide institutional support beyond the traditional legal aid mechanism to those who resort to legal action.

Market forces alone should not be allowed to decide the plight of these workers.

Intervention is needed in setting certain standards taking into account the perception of workers.

New ventures should be explored for employees in the event their selected sector of employment faces a crisis such as the global economic crisis, the report said.

GW