"SUPPORT COMMUNITY KITCHENS: Mutual aid for Sri Lankan Workers", August 2022

Women garment workers in Sri Lanka are struggling to survive through the worst economic and political crisis that the nation has faced since its independence. Earning hardly 50 – 70 USD per month, and with most of their existing savings wiped out during the COVID-19 pandemic, women garment workers & their families are one of the most vulnerable groups impacted by this crisis.

With shortages of fuel, gas, and medicine, as well as skyrocketing inflation (around 55 percent), the cost of living has drastically increased, and garment workers are UNABLE TO AFFORD EVEN TWO MEALS A DAY. Worst affected are pregnant women, young mothers, workers with disabilities or chronic health issues, who are unable to work – pushing them to hunger and poverty...

From August, AFWA is working with its partners and allies to run three Community Kitchens in Free Trade Zones (FTZs) across Sri Lanka, to distribute 10,000+ cooked meal packets over the next three months. The Community Kitchens would provide nutritious meals, with the most vulnerable categories of garment workers (young mothers, pregnant women, elderly women, women with anaemia etc.) being specifically supported.

Stand in solidarity with Sri Lankan garment workers and their families.