Apparel sector workers are humans too...

The plight of apparel sector employees has been exposed frequently, but they are seldom being regulated and overlooked by the Labour Department

On Monday, over 1400 apparel sector employees, most of whom were females, lost their jobs when a leading apparel manufacturing company in the Katunayake Export Processing Zone ceased operations. Despite being one of the main sectors that contribute to the GDP, the apparel sector has possibly become a victim of exorbitant import tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. However, for apparel sector workers, who have been used to a culture of exploitation, unemployment is one of the realities they are faced with on a regular basis. 

During the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, apparel sector workers had to continue operations while maintaining safety regulations in order to generate the much- needed income to the country. When infected, they were rounded-up and sent to quarantine centres in the most inhumane manner where they had to survive under limited circumstances. With uncertainties revolving around their payments many of these workers were reluctant to be sent for quarantine as they feared pay-cuts. Many females who were single mothers had no option, but to leave behind their children in boarding places during the pandemic. While many of them lost their jobs as some companies closed down, they had to find alternative sources of income. 

The plight of apparel sector employees has been exposed frequently, but they are seldom being regulated and overlooked by the Labour Department. Despite specific laws in place to notify employees prior to closing down a workplace, the company that ceased operations on Monday failed to comply with the law. It has been reported that the workers were expected to work long hours just before the company closed down operations. 

This goes on to show how these companies don’t pay attention to adequate worker rights let alone a decent pay. Over the years, rights groups have demanded apparel manufacturing companies to stop increasing female workers’ overtime working hours from 60 to 75 hours per month, while protecting them from arbitrary termination and ensuring the safety of workers taking part in peaceful protests. But these demands seem to have fallen on deaf ears.

In a previous article the Daily Mirror exposed how apparel sector employees are given daily targets which they have to fulfill within a day. They work on tight deadlines often overlooked by supervisors. Depending on the targets, employees are paid bonuses. A majority of them are paid a daily rate while a handful have been absorbed into the permanent cadre, worsening matters further. Many of these employees don’t take lunch or washroom breaks as they continue to meet targets. Apparel sector workers are also paid measly salaries despite large scale profits generated by these companies. 

Research studies indicate that many young women are now reluctant to seek employment in the apparel sector mainly due to the bad social image and the way they are being treated. Often labeled as ‘Juki girls’ they have to endure shoddy treatment by their immediate supervisors who often expect sexual favours. Unlike the young girls who joined garment factories as machine operators in the early stages of the apparel industry, today, most young women have obtained basic educational qualifications such as G.C. E. Ordinary Level Certificate. Along with higher level of education, their career aspirations have also changed. They tend to perceive garment factory work as a low skilled job and these ‘target oriented hardworking machine operator jobs’ are no longer able to attract young women into the industry. Instead, they seek for more prestigious ‘computer based jobs’ where they can enjoy more flexibility and social interaction.

With all these uncertainties hovering over an industry that has kept the country going even in times of financial crisis, it is important to ensure that workers’ rights are being respected and protected. If not for the workforce, none of these companies could have succeeded and it is high time that they stop treating their laborers similarly to broiler chickens.

‘Your Thought’ is a space, a right of the readers to support or contradict and discuss the issues highlighted in the editorial and other articles in the editorial and op-ed pages. Designed as the reader’s editorial; our readers can send in their writings, with a word count not exceeding 200, to ‘Your Thought’, Daily Mirror Political Features Desk, No 8, Hunupitiya Cross Road, Colombo 2 or email to [email protected]