About 80 young workes of Sramabimani Worker Forum stood in a picket line and shouted slogans for about 45 miniutes on the 1st of May at the Seeduwa Juction. Their demands were 'reduction of cost of living', 'a living wage for the FTZ workers', 'payment of salary increments laid down by the government'. Some other slogans read, 'Don't we have a right to live', Don't' we have a right to a healthy environment'
After the picket at the junction, the workers walked in procession from Liyanagemulla up to the Sramabimani centre, which took about another 30 minutes. A Buddhist monk, a priest and two religious sisters walked with the workers.
A meeting was held at the centre, at which four persons addressed the gathering. After the welcome speech by Sugath Rajapaksha the chief organizer, a worker from NEST who has been recently dismised for being involved in trade union action, delivered the first speech.
He invited the workers to pay attention to their own plight as the workers as caused by high cost of living. Refering to the expereinces of NEST workers, he narrated what consequence they were made to suffer, when they made a very inncocent demand, namely an increament of Rs. 250.00 a month, as a part of what the the government has recommended to the private sector.
He said, 'we came to the city hoping for better pastures but we have fallen from the frying to the fire. As workers if we continue to close our eyes to these realities and keep silence, we would loose everything. Therefore, we need to organize ourselves and fight for our just rights.
Other speakers were the Buddhist Monk, Fr. Sarath iddamalgoda, Sr. Noel Christine and Vincent Weerakkody.
Of course in an area where the worker population is about 30-40 thousand, the impact of a demonstration by 80 workers could not bring about any substantial change. But, we are happy that this time we were able to have a public event unlike on the previous occasion when the walk was held in the interior. However, according to information we have this is the only public event held in FTZ area to celebrate the May Day.
Last year too the Sramabimani Worker Forum held a similar May Rally.
The workers are afraid of taking part in public protests. They fear of being identified by the management. Among the workers also there are also some workers who carry tales wanting to curry favour with the management.
It is not an easy task to organize such an event. Several meetings were held at the boarding level to sell the idea of May Day demonstration among the workers. When asked some of these young workers in fact did not know what the May Day actually meant.
Our original plan was to hold this event on the 4th of May, but the date was changed to the 1st of May on the on the suggestion of a group of workers. It was most disheartening thing that very people who suggested the change of date were not present at the demonstration. It reflects also the challenge we face when working among this generation of youth.
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