By Sandun A. Jayasekera

The External Affairs Ministry, Trade and Commerce Ministry and the Labour Ministry are collectively preparing a reply to a petition handed over to the US government by a US trade union alleging labour rights violations in Sri Lanka.

The State Department has reportedly initiated action against Sri Lanka following a petition by America Free Labour Council of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) after Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) lodged a complaint with the AFL-CIO. The matter has serious implications since it could put the US GSP concessions to Sri Lanka in jeopardy.

The President of the FTZWU Anton D. Marcus told Daily Mirror that the complaint deals with the serious and deliberate violation of labour rights by the government with a special mention on the blockade for collective bargaining and right to association within the Free Trade Zone in particular.

The complaint has reportedly highlighted the collapsed trade union action by teachers and port employees after the Supreme Court dismissed the FR petition filed by them.

“A three member team is due in Sri Lanka on July 31 from the US state Department for a fact finding mission and expected to talk to Trade Unions, the Government and Employers,. There will be a public hearing at the State Department in Washington after their return,” Mr. Marcus said.

Minister Lokuge charged that the FTZWU is in a mission funded by NGOs to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka and harm the industry. He said at the AFL-CIO ignored the complaint lodged in 2008 by the FTZWU but Mr. Marcus raised the issue once again in 2009 compelling the State Department for action.