FTZ grinding to a halt takes to cycling to work
Hit by a fuel crisis Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zone (FTZ) workers will be compelled to cycle to work no sooner the industries come to a standstill in two weeks should the current crisis continue.
The Board of Investment (BOI) has been submitted with a proposal pending board approval to allow companies within the zones to purchase bicycles at a duty free rate for their staff.
The matter is currently pending board approval as there are some who report to work on their own vehicles, FTZ Manufacturers Association Secretary Dhammika Fernando said. About 10,000 workers or more can be provided these bicycles to ensure the transport burden is reduced, he explained.
Mr. Fernando also noted that they want authorities to allow them to at least import electric vehicles so that workers can charge these and then commute to work.
BOI companies are looking at this very positively and have planned to make these bicycle purchases for their workers to allow them to purchase them on an easy payment term.
Workers are finding it difficult to report to work and there is an imminent danger of everything coming to a standstill, Mr. Fernando explained.
Workers are turning up for work where transport is provided to them while others are finding it difficult to obtain the necessary fuel for their own vehicles, it was pointed out.
Some companies have already commenced a four-day work week at the FTZ since July 1 and some others even before that.
Mr. Fernando explained, companies have curtailed work to a four-day work week due to the current fuel shortage.
Moreover, he noted that the fuel station within the zone at Katunayaka has now started the ground clearing but still requires BOI board approval to get it activated that is now three months old.
FTZ General Services Trade Union General Secretary Anton Marcus said workers were facing a crisis as they have reduced the amount of food they consume to only two meals a day and find it difficult to survive against the rising cost of living.
He pointed out that while workers have requested for petrol to be provided to them to be able to come to work they have also asked that a specific cooperative grocery store service be made available at the zone to purchase goods at concessionary rates.
| Global TUs ask brands to stay with Sri Lanka | |
| The Global Alliance of trade unions in a letter dated July 1 to the brands and buyers of clothes from Sri Lanka has asked them to continue to place orders with the country. They have urged brands sourcing from Sri Lanka to keep their commitment and continue sourcing and placing order; review their prices and purchasing practices to enable suppliers to meet any increased input costs. The letter was signed by the trade union Labour Behind The Label on behalf of Clean Clothes Campaign, War on Want, Workers United and Maquila Solidarity Network. |
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