Promoting the Right to Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining (FOACB)
The Project will contribute to improving labour-relations in Sri Lanka.
Partners:
Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations, Department of Labour (DOL), Board of Investment in Sri Lanka (BOI), EFC and Trade UnionsTarget Beneficiaries:
Employers & their organizations, workers & their organizations, BOI and DOL officialsRegional Focus:
Ready Made Garment Industry in Sri Lanka (within and outside the Free Trade Zones)Objectives:
Improved respect for freedom of association and collective bargaining rights in law and practice in target countries and sectors (ready-made garments – Sri Lanka)Main Activities:
- Supporting Labour Law reform.
- Conduct a study on progress made and persistent challenges on FOACB rights in the RMG sector.
- Support the development of a policy on collective bargaining in the RMG sector and submission to cabinet for approval.
- Support the creation of a mediation unit within MOJLR to improve prevention and resolution of labour disputes.
- Implement a practical training and in-factory counselling programme to improve industrial harmony and implementation of labour laws (short version of the ILO SCORE programme).
- Carry out training for trade unions on how to implement FOACB in practice including education on national labour laws and ILS.
- Provide technical support to the constituents for the collection of sex disaggregated data on violations of trade unions’ civil liberties.
- Provide advisory services to tripartite constituents for the adoption of an action plan to promote FOACB and organize workers in the RMG sector.
Project Outcomes:
- Draft national legislation is more in conformity with ILO Conventions No. 87 and No. 98.
- Policies that create an enabling environment and promote the effective implementation of freedom of association and collective bargaining rights are discussed by the tripartite constituents.
- Tripartite constituents are better informed and equipped to promote and exercise their rights and obligations in relation to freedom of association and collective bargaining.