International Worker’s Day May 1 st, 2013

Let us protect the women workers’ RIGHTS! Let us ensure labour rights in the plantation sector, the middle-east and the free trade zones. THEME:

The May Day Rally organized by the Women’s Solidarity Front (WSF), an women’s collective joining the main three income sectors of the country where women play a vital role, is a network consists of three organizations: Women’s Centre, Colombo; Worker’s Solidarity Union, Kandy; and Movement to protect the rights of the migrant workers, Galle. This year the event was coordinated & organized by the Women’s Centre at their centre (Women Worker’s Shelter) situated in Katunayake. The parade began from the main gates of the FTZs at about 10 am with a 2km walk and gathering at Amandoluwa. About 700 participants from the three organizations attended the parade and the rally; these participants were not only from the North but also from the upcountry; including Sinhala, Tamil, female workers, elderly women workers and male workers were present. We observed Northern Tamil youth especially female workers riding the bicycles, while the plantation women workers carrying their baskets symbolizing the plantation workers picking tea leaves.

The welcome speech was given by the President of WSF, Padmini Weerasuriya. In her address she pondered on the following thoughts: “Had we ever heard of the Trade Union Organizations taking any effort to protect or safeguard the rights of the women workers? Aren’t we also the worker class, why are we excluded?” The invitee guest speaker, Attorney-at- Law, Nimalka Fernando, expressed thoughts on the following: “At a time where we hear many May Day rallies held all over the country, it is strengthening to see the women workers joining together in celebration. Although no Ministers or Politicians are present today, we join together without any threats or disputes, therefore, each one of you workers are honored, reminding that we need to join together in the ‘right to stand up’ on these rights issues. We should not forget how much is earned to the country by our migrated women workers? Do they receive sufficient Pay?”

We were silent during the War, and then again during the Development process, did these benefit us? Does the Media or the Trade Unions have Freedom? Let this step we have kept forward guarantee in winning the rights of the workers’. Tamil plantation workers addressed the gathering and during her speech, the Secretary of WSF, P. Logeshwary stated, “this is a historical event, where the FTZ workers, the Plantation workers and migrant workers joins together in celebrating the first united May Day Rally.” President of the Worker’s Solidarity Union, A. Sivaprakasham, and Sriyani Pathirage, President of the Movement to Protect the Rights of the Migrant workers also addressed the gathering, while Sriya Ahangamage, Secretary of Women’s Centre gave the speech of thanks, bringing the closing of the May Day Rally.

Worker’s Solidarity Front Women’s Centre No: 52/61, Peiris Watte Ekala Ja-Ela Tel/Fax : +94 (0) Web-site : Face book page : Thank you