The second wave of the covid epidemic began on October 4, 2020. That was when a garment worker of Brandix, Yakahatuwa, Minuwangoda was diagnosed with Kovid infection at the Gampaha Hospital. The company did not take any responsibility for the employee and it was revealed that the employee had obtained the service despite being ill.
This bunch of Brandix crossed the 4000 mark and entered the free trade zone instantly. The plague spread throughout the region, leaving the garment workers in a desperate situation, as a result of their husbands staying in the same hostels or working for Brandix.
Both the Ministry of Labor and the Attorney General had directed the IGP to immediately begin an investigation into the spread of the Kovid. Accordingly, investigations were initiated by two parties. But now, six months later, its investigation report has not been released.
Brandix, meanwhile, has applied for a $ 50 million long-term loan facility through an international financial partnership. It is at an interest rate of 4%.
But six months after the start of the second wave of Kovid, trade unions, including six Sri Lankan unions, have called on Brandix and the World Bank to protect and respect workers’ rights, to delay long-term credit facilities and to offer conditions on lending. .
To date, the Dabindu Collective, Development for Human Liberation, Ceylon Trade and General Workers ‘Union, Commercial and Industrial Workers’ Union and National Union of Shippers have been considered for not paying attention to infected women, not protecting their health and not allowing them to join trade unions. The union has made this request.
A special media briefing was held yesterday (08) at the main hall of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Kollupitiya to discuss matters related to this request.
The unions point out that despite the announcement that a three – member, independent panel of experts has been appointed to look into the shortcomings of Brandix’s health and safety systems, no such announcement has been made.
However, with the expansion of Brandix Covid 19, garment workers faced a number of difficulties, including cuts in rights, non-payment of wages, arbitrary dismissals, labor exploitation, as well as abuse of self-esteem and criticism. The unions called for the World Bank to protect the rights of Brandix’s workers when it comes to investing in Brandix.