A discussion titled “Strengthening Free Trade Zone Workers’ Rights in a Sri Lanka Transforming Towards Dignity and Justice” was held on Sunday, 21 September 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, Colombo. The event was jointly organized by Free Trade Zone Labours Collective and Law and Social Trust.
The discussion brought together workers, trade unions, subject experts, and policymakers to deliberate on the pressing issues faced by employees in the Free Trade Zones (FTZs). Chandra Devanarayana, Executive Director of Revolutionary Existence for Human Development (RED), addressed the gathering and highlighted the particular struggles encountered by single mothers, widows, and young women working in the FTZs.
These women, who migrate from various parts of the country in search of employment, continue to face multiple challenges upon entering the Free Trade Zone. Chief among them are the absence of a living wage, job insecurity, lack of dignity and respect in the workplace, and the constant struggle to ensure the safety and well-being of their children. The lack of accessible daycare facilities further exacerbates their difficulties.
The discussion also examined how existing regulations and policies imposed by higher authorities affect FTZ workers, considering both their positive and negative impacts. The session concluded by emphasizing the urgent need for structural reforms to safeguard the rights of women workers, improve social protections, and build a more just and dignified working environment in Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zones.
