Trade unions demand wage increase for garment workers

ALaRM, a coalition of NGOs and trade unions in the garment sector, launched a campaign asking the Board of Investment (BOI) and garment factories for an immediate salary increase and a ‘sector specific’ living wage for garment workers. The demand is for minimum increment of Rs. 2,500 for garment workers.

The main demand is a salary increment of Rs. 2,500 from the forthcoming BOI salary increments in November for 2008, and to ensure the payment of the minimum wage of Rs 5,000 and the budgetary relief allowance of Rs.1000 to each and every employee in the sector.

Most garment workers earn less than a living wage right now, even by working over time, working on holidays and with other benefits. ALaRM says the present income of garment workers is not enough to lead a decent life given the cost of living in Sri Lanka.