In January 2021, workers at the Next-owned factory Next Manufacturing Ltd in Sri Lanka formed a new branch of the Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union (FTZ&GSEU) following a successful walkout to win back unpaid bonuses. According to public reports, nearly half the workers had become members. Advocacy groups War on Want and Labour Behind the Label called on Next to formally recognise the union in line with its Principle on Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining and to engage bilaterally with the union.

In March 2021, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Next to respond. Next responded on 30 March, formally recognising the union; its response is included below. War on Want and Labour Behind the Label responded to Next’s letter on April 06 (included below), welcoming the recognition of the union by Next and encouraging Next to set a date to begin bilateral talks with the union.