REFUGEE

In the press conference held at Hotel Renuka today regarding the GSP+ Gauthaman first of all highlighted on the importance of it to the apparel industry. He stated that the increase of the apparel industry exports to European Union by Sri Lanka was resulted by the GSP+. That is for the EU the apparel imports of Sri Lanka are more than that of the other Asian countries as a result of Sri Lanka having GSP+. With out this the Sri Lankan apparel industries exports will reduce which will affect its employees.

Mr. Palithath Athukorala from the Progress Union addressed on the ways in which the benefits which were granted by having GSP+ could still be gained.

He stated that they appreciate the government in deciding to talk about this with the EU officials.

He also stated that the EU has clearly stated ways in which we can gain the GSP+, and that without meeting those there is no use of various government official talking with the EU representatives as that would not help.

Thus he stated that the government actually has to answer to what they say.

He further stated that they have connections with International Trade Unions who’s headquarters are in Brussals and what they are also saying is to solve it with the government first and then they will talk with the EU to granting GSP+. This is mostly as the workers are going to be effected by it.

Anton Marcus a representative from the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees' Union stated that after a long time a lot of the political and religious leaders have started talking about the workers of the apparel industry and it is a good initiative.

He stated that David Tajmal of the EU came and had decided to grant the GSP+ in 2003 after talking with the trade unions. They were supposed to investigate on its application before granting it again in 2005 but because of the Tsunami which took place in December 2004 they had granted it. With it conditions were applied which the government had to meet such as the human rights conditions. So now what the EU is doing is conducting the investigation and now they have realized that the government has not implemented on these conditions and also that they are not granting it again. He also stated that they question as to how realistic is the fact of the government saying they are going to get the GSP+ because of these reasons.

He further stated that the EU had asked them how the GSP+ which was granted by them in 2005 had benefited for the workers. And also that the apparel industry works hasn’t benefited by it.

He states that Sri Lanka should get the GSP+ but that the apparel workers and the people of the country should also enjoy its benefits except the investors. He also stated that in Sri Lanka there is no commitment by the investors that they will grant the benefits to the workers. But the government saying that it is ready to talk about the issues underlined in the interim report is a good development.

Finally he stated that if they have a commitment that the conditions of GSP+ will be implemented and that the workers will gain from it and that the human rights will be implemented then we are ready to intervene and are redy to work on gaining GSP+ by using there contacts.

Brito Fenando the representative from Right to life concentrated on the human rights aspect which is associated with the GSP+. He stated that the once who are taking about the GSP+ are considered as traitors and as who are threatening the sovereignty of the country. He stated that there should be a clear discussion on this issue based on the right to gain information of the people. The violation of the workers rights effect for the violations of fundamental rights. At present there are many violations of human rights in the country especially extra judicial killings. So without taking about this fact no use in labeling the people who talk about it as labourers. He further stated that they appreciate the government giving some statement on this fact and that if Sri Lanka doesn’t get the GSP+ these human rights violations would worsen not get better.

The two main points which were highlighted in this press conference was

1) If GSP+ is given to Sri Lanka again its benefits should also be gained by the workers instead of the apparel industry owners and that there should be a mechanism for to grant the benefits of GSP+ to the workers.

2) The responsibility of the government which is clearly stated should be carried out by the government or if GSP+ is not given then there should be a mechanism of the government to reduce its negative impacts which will affect the workers.