Global union slams JAAF over legal case in port strike

The global union representing workers in the garment industry has criticised legal action by Sri Lanka’s Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) to quash industrial action by port workers on the grounds that it disrupted their exports of garments.

The Brussels-based International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF) said it was associating itself with a formal complaint against the Sri Lankan government lodged by unions representing workers in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, including ITGLWF affiliate the Free Trade Zone and General Services Employees Union.

ITGLWF General Secretary Neil Kearney said the ruling in question relates to a case filed in July 2006 by the JAAF following legitimate industrial action by port unions in support of demands on wages and working conditions. The association says their business activities had been affected and therefore their fundamental right to equality and lawful occupation was being violated, and demanded that the action be prohibited.

“The Supreme Court granted JAAF the right to proceed, issued an interim order restricting the unions from engaging in industrial action and ordered the police to deploy sufficient force to ensure compliance and to apprehend anyone disobeying the order. The interim order is effective until November 27, when the case will again come before the court,” the union said. It said the Supreme Court ruling was seriously flawed. Indeed, Sri Lanka’s constitution gives the court the power to provide redress in cases where fundamental rights are infringed by the State.