| A Peoples’ Tribunal was convened by the Apparel Industry Labour Rights Movement (ALaRM ) on the 27 and 28th March as part of a regional attempt to promote decent wages in the industry.
The Tribunal held its sittings on the 27th and 28th March.
The Permanent Peoples' Tribunal is an international opinion tribunal, independent of state authorities. It examines and provides judgements regarding violation of human and trade union rights.
This tribunal was convened to inquire into concerns raised by workers, trade unions and civil society that garment workers are unable to obtain a living wage and a decent standard of living. The Tribunal is being undertaken as part of a global campaign targeting garment manufacturers, suppliers, consumer-importers, garment workers and government officials.
The tribunal’s sitting in Sri Lanka is the first hearing in a scheduled series that will culminate in a session at the Permanent People’s Tribunal.
The panel of judges comprised: Shanthi Dairiam from Malaysia, Dr. Hameeda Hossein from Bangladesh and Kate Lappin from Australia.
The Asian Woman’s Committee supported the ALaRm in convening the Tribunal which heard testimonies of women garment workers.
The panel made several recommendations to the government urging it to adopt a basic living wage in its Labour Standards Regulatory framework and to promote the concept of living wage at regional and national level and urged government to establish an independent statutory authority to determine a minimum living wage, improve labour conditions and hear labour disputes.
Trade unions were recommended to adopt a living wage mechanism as part of their bargaining and organising strategies and to increase representation of women garment workers within trade unions as officials and elected representatives. |
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