"SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF SRI LANKA", 26 July 2022

Trade unions and worker rights organizations, including the Clean Clothes Campaign, Labour behind the Label, Maquila Solidarity Network, War on Want and Workers United write to express our solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka. We stand with them as they confront the political, social, and economic crisis that has engulfed their country, causing extreme hardship and grave concerns for the future.

This is the result of a crisis driven by international debt that has been unfolding for decades and mismanagement by the previous Sri Lanka government. This has caused catastrophic inflation and the loss of purchasing power; failure of public services including health services, education, and public transport; disruption of economic activity; and scarcity of fuel, cooking gas and oil, and many basic commodities. Importantly, it has caused great hardship for the 300.000, mostly female, garment workers and their families...

...the trade unions that make up the National Labor Advisory Council (NLAC) issued a call for constitutional, legislative, and emergency administrative measures to deal with the crisis, ensure democratic processes and rights, curtail the executive presidency, and prevent a repressive, authoritarian outcome. We linked the letter sent by the Unions to Presidential Candidates that set forth the called-for measures.

We endorse and support the trade unions' call, and we call upon national governments, international financial institutions, private sector enterprises (including international brands and retailers sourcing garments from Sri Lanka) and other stakeholders to support a program of emergency relief, mid and long-term financial support, and a democratic political solution to the crisis.