The Better Work Sri Lanka programme of the International Labour
Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) recently concluded a three-
month series of Master Trainer workshops on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the
apparel sector, where participants were trained on facilitation skills and techniques,
communication skills, and technical aspects of OSH, including management systems. The next
phase of the Better Work Programme will equip the master trainers with the necessary tools to
become ‘Industry Advisors’ and establish bipartite committees within the apparel industry.
This unique initiative in promoting enterprise-level bipartite OSH committees is spearheaded by
Better Work Sri Lanka, is carried out in partnership with The Joint Apparel Association Forum
(JAAF), the Employees Federation of Ceylon (EFC), Ministry of Labour and representatives
from Trade Unions.
Head of The Better Work Sri Lanka Programme, Kesava Murali Kanapathy, noted that such
programmes would be imperative in promoting workplace safety, especially where creating a
safe and healthy working environment has recently been declared a fundamental principle and
right at work by the ILO.
“The workshops have been a journey of learning for the participants where we witnessed social
dialogue in action. Different constituents were provided with a platform where they discussed
common challenges, identified areas of improvement, and found solutions collectively – this is a
unique outcome of the training,” Kanapathy said.
The seventy participants whom partnering institutions nominated will go on to implement a
common guideline on OSH with the guidance of ILO and relevant stakeholders to improve
current practices at their workplace.
Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Yohan Lawrence stressed that while
the apparel sector gives prominence to worker safety, it was essential to continuously equip and
expand the employees’ knowledge of OSH to ensure Sri Lanka’s apparel sector remains an
ethical manufacturing destination. Currently, representatives from 30 apparel institutions were
nominated by JAAF to be trained as OSH industry advisors.
“In December 2021, we entered into a landmark MOU with Trade Unions to ensure we build
safer workplaces, through a collaborative approach, especially during the pandemic. By being
part of the Better Work programme, which enabled this partnership to come to fruition, we saw
all stakeholders hold conversations with trust and openness, keeping the workers’ wellbeing in
the forefront.” Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Yohan Lawrence said.
Convenor of the Textile, Garment and Clothing Workers Union (TGCWU), Lalitha
Dedduwakumara noted that the Master Training Workshop assisted their membership in looking
at OSH in a different light.
“This programme strengthened our relationship with stakeholders like JAAF as well as EFC and
changed our perception of how we communicate with each other. Furthermore, as someone
who has worked on the factory floor, the understanding I had of OSH then is different from how I
view it now. I believe initiatives like this give us the necessary tools to ensure we give
prominence to worker safety across all levels in the sector, and it’s a responsibility for all of us
involved,” Lalitha said.
As an extension to the ILO and IFC, the Better Work Sri Lanka Programme, together with JAAF
hopes to conduct a series of programmes to assist in promoting a culture of safety amongst its
membership. Guidance has also been sought to promote EUs Due Diligence requirements
amongst apparel factories which require companies to respect human rights and the
environment in global value chains.
“Our hope is to create a culture of occupational safety rather than a culture of compliance
requirements. This programme is a testament to how collaborations can be successful and
promote workplace cooperation through OSH. What we need now is to create a national
dialogue and strengthen our labour laws that prioritize workplace safety. JAAF and other
stakeholders have been supportive in this endeavour, and we look forward to future
partnerships like this.” Kanapathy concluded.
- Convenor of the Textile, Garment and Clothing Workers Union Lalitha Dedduwakumara and her team at a workshop organised by Better Work
- Head of The Better Work Sri Lanka Programme, Kesava Murali Kanapathy conducting a training session
- Representatives from 30 apparel institutions were nominated by JAAF to be trained as OSH industry advisors
- 4 to 7 – Engaging workshops were held on facilitation skills and techniques, communication skills, and technical aspects of OSH
- Seventy industry advisors on occupation safety and health appointed to establish bipartite committees within the apparel industry
