Most of the over 100,000 apparel sector workers now in their homes in villages following the closure of the garment factories in Free Trade Zones are suffering in their abodes as they are yet receive their wages
Minister of Industrial Export and Investment Promotion Prasanna Ranatunga has requested the employers to pay wages to these employees as soon as possible, a senior official of the ministry said.
This was the result of a request made by Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union from the Minister, Joint Secretary of the Union Anton Marcus said adding that hese workers were sent home without their monthly wages.
Employers of most garment factories have agreed to remit the wages for March to bank accounts of employees before April 10, he disclosed.
This matter was discussed at length at the meeting of the Tripartite Task Force on Employment appointed by Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations.Denesh Gunawardena.
This unit chaired by the. Minister has decided with consensus that the wages would be paid before the factories are closed if such a situation arises and for the period the factory remains closed due to the present COVID-19 outbreak.
The Labour Department has been requested to inform this decision officially to all companies including manpower agencies which have engaged their employees as contract workers in apparel factories.
These manpower agencies have also agreed to pay those contract employees on a daily pay basis as soon as possible, he said.
Some of the garment factory owners noted that their customers have informed them that not to send finished orders because all their warehouses are closed and they will not transfer the funds, he added.
Therefore, they have informed the union that they will not be able to pay wages to employees for next month, he revealed.
Under this circumstance, he urged the government to find some redress for employees who will face financial difficulties.
(LI)