Steel factory workers fight harsh conditions Workers at Melbourne Metal Industries of Sri Lanka have been on strike since June 4 to demand reinstatement of victimized workers. Melbourne Metal Industries, owned by an Australian company, is a sweatshop situated in Ja-ela, on the outskirts of Colombo. Its 200 workers produce twisted steel, mainly for the construction industry. Almost all the workers are not permanent and are employed by seven subcontractors. These subcontractors are pocketing the major share of the wages.
Workers have no fixed working hours or lunch and tea breaks.
Instead, they have to work until their workload is finished. Some times they have to go up to 24 hours at a stretch. Even though they are grappling with high temperature steel bars, there are no protective measures such as thick uniforms, boots, eye protectors and earplugs. There are frequent accidents but no first aid facilities. Bare electric wires are scattered inside the factory.