Premier FTZ union sets up Northern office
View(s):The Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union earlier this week opened its first office in the North at No. 39, Vairava Kovil Road, Vairavapuliyamkulam, Vavuniya.
More than 150 workers from newly established garment factories in the North took part in the event. The office was ceremonially declared open by Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Vavuniya Ms. Siva Ranjanee and union Joint Secretary Anton Marcus with other union officials.
Seen here are a group of workers in a typical, clenched fist, workers salute at the event.
A union media release said the office will serve workers from factories situated at Mannar, Kilinochchi, Pudukuduirippu, Omanthai, Mullaitivu and other areas in the North.
Before opening this office at Vavuniya the union carried out a comprehensive research focusing on garment factories in the North by interviewing over 500 workers and identified their overwhelming issues and their needs
Mr. Marcus told the gathering that though there are many issues in the factories the workers are reluctant to approach the officials and even if they come to meet them they wanted to be anonymous.
At an awareness workshop held at the Vavuniya rest house with a participation over 100 workers, workers were made aware of workplace rights and union officials also explained the process of the garment manufacturing chain as buyers, brands, suppliers and emphasised that being a member of a union is their right and not a crime.
Before establishing this office in Vavuniya the union worked in Mannar for around two years and was able to form two unions at the Mannar FTZ but which collapsed under heavy pressure exerted by the management. Some of the workers from those factories were present at this Vavuniya event and said they wanted to re-organise their unions, the media release said.