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Protest held over alleged unfair worker dismissal at Wathupitiwala FTZ 

02 Dec 2021

  • 16 workers of ATG Gloves Knitting Co. factory allegedly unfairly dismissed in August 
By Pamodi Waravita  A large-scale protest was held on Wednesday (1) against the alleged unfair dismissal of 16 workers at ATG Gloves Knitting (Pvt.) Ltd. in the Wathupitiwala Free Trade Zone (FTZ), in August 2021.  “In August, 16 workers were dismissed by the ATG Gloves Knitting (Pvt.) Ltd., a glove manufacturing factory in Wathupitiwala, for joining a trade union, namely, the Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union (CIWU). Workers inside the ATG Gloves Knitting factory were pushed to unionise due to their horrendous work conditions, including sleep deprivation and the sexual harassment of male and female workers. This was one of the first such protests held in the Wathupitiwala FTZ in support of workers victimised by union busting, and in support of workers, against them being subjected to sexual and physical harassment inside a factory,” a media statement issued by those who participated in the said protest, read.  The statement claimed that the company’s management had refused to reinstate the aforementioned workers, despite the instructions of Labour Commissioner General (CG) Prabath Chandrakeerthi.  “Less than 10% of the private sector workforce is part of trade unions. Until now, the disinterest of workers in joining unions has been touted by companies as the main reason why workers did not join unions. However, recent discussions held by unions in Katunayake, Wathupitiwala, Biyagama, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu, revealed that anti-union practices by companies including union busting, and the fear of workers losing their jobs, remain the main reasons why workers fear joining unions.” Earlier this year, over 20 labour unions, led by the Ceylon Federation of Trade Unions, had written to Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, demanding that action be taken against ATG Gloves Knitting (Pvt.) Ltd., over the alleged dismissal of 16 union members for forming a union at the workplace.  The protest held on Wednesday has involved several trade unions from both the state and private sectors, women’s rights organisations, factory workers, and political parties representing both government and opposition parties.  


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