Don't think you are entitled to it. Menike Ranatunge, who worked for Smart Shirt Ltd, went blind in one eye when it was hit by a broken needle. She did not show up for work after 14 days of medical leave because the eye had not healed, and was fired without compensation. Pathirana, a young girl who worked in the button attachment department of AJS Apparels, lost three fingers in three consecutive years. Workers say there are at least seven other cases of operators losing fingers at AJS Apparels.
Employers take no responsibility to ensure a safe work environment.
Samanmalee says that employers rarely pay the amount workers are entitled to as compensation. The few NGOs within the zones are hampered by tight regulations, and workers are afraid to turn to them because of threats of dismissal. The present government of Chandrika Kumaratunga pledged it would introduce a Workers' Charter during the elections, but because of stiff opposition from the private sector, three years later the charter remains an unfulfilled promise. This article was posted on the G reen L eft W eekly H ome P age.