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20 June, 2011
The funeral was held on 4 June for 22 year old worker Roshane Chanaka in Minuwangoda, Sri Lanka. Chanaka was killed on 30 May, when police opened fire on workers protesting in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, against the government’s proposed “Employees Pension Benefit Fund” Bill. Hundreds of workers were injured, 60 seriously, at the hands of the police.
Police repression in the Export Processing Zone escalated to the point that workers were blocked from leaving factories, and women were beaten. Police have now handed over security in Katunayake to the army, meaning workers can not exercise their right to assemble and protest.
The huge worker outcry forced the government to withdraw the controversial bill, but reserves the right to reintroduce it following further discussions. While the 26 Sri Lankan trade unions of the Joint Trade Union Alliance (JTUA) welcome improved pension legislation, they insist on tri-partite discussions at the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) before such an important change in the law is made.
The ICEM-affiliated Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union (FTZ & GSEU) played a central role in the establishing of the JTUA, and together with the textile workers, were forefront in the fight to block the bill.