The Sri Lankan girls who toil in garment factories in Dubai and elsewhere in the Gulf have been dealt a mean blow by none other than our own Government. This has stung them into shock and disappointment.

Recently, the UAE government declared that minimum wages be fixed for all girls working in garment factories. Accordingly, in January this year, the minimum wage of Sri Lankan workers in all Gulf countries, was revised in accordance with the value of each country’s currency and its per capita income. The Sri Lankan Government had fixed the minimum wages at DHs.825 (Approx. Rs.24,750.00) for Sri Lankan garment factory workers in Dubai, but has suddenly made a startling u-turn on the decision and gone back to its earlier pay scale, which ranges between Dhs.450 and 600. It is reported that factory owners from various Countries had approached the Sri Lankan Consulate here, pleading to revert to the earlier scale, and promptly they complied! At this stage I do not want to make any tempting utterances about the decision of the Consulate and the State, to go with the factory owners rather than stand by our girls.

The factory owners say the Sri Lankan government’s decision made business sense, as extra hours put in by workers bring their salary to Dhs.825. Besides, they argue that these workers have to work only for minimum eight hours unlike the maids! Also they say food and lodging is provided, and that the present cost of production is very high and it is not feasible to run a factory at higher salary scales. Meanwhile a Sri Lankan factory girl has conveyed to a local Newspapers here, that she has been working in a factory for 7 long years and her salary has remained a mere Dhs.400.

I presume many others could well be in similar situations.

I find the arguments of the factory owners rather wobbly. Providing food and lodging for workers and 8 hour working days are regular factory policies that are in force in many establishments, in accordance with labour laws. What I cannot comprehend is, why the government of Sri Lanka, who should be fighting for the rights and perks of the Sri Lankan workers are taking the side of the factory owners. It is the duty of our State to see to the welfare of these poor workers, who bring in much needed money into the country. All other countries have approved new wages for their workforces except Sri Lanka! Enhanced wages for these workers will not only bring in more foreign exchange into the country but make the lives of these workers and their families a little bit more comfortable, what with the astronomical cost of living strangling the poor and the middle class!

As for the factory owners, sure, their production costs will rise but that is not going to bring them to their knees. Also, is it not better to have a smiling, content workforce who may help increase production than have dismayed grumpy workers?