Support Sri Lankan workers. Melbourne Metal, an Australian company operating in Sri Lanka, is trying to deny workers the right to form a union. Please support the workers at Melbourne Metal, and the Industrial Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU) Sri Lanka Melbourne Metal (Pvt.) Ltd is located in the Ekala Industrial Estate, near to Colombo. It produces iron rods for reinforcing concrete, used in the construction of housing. The Company employs around 150 workers. 120 are union members. Early in May 1999 workers from Melbourne Metal (Pvt.) Ltd. contacted the ITGWU to seek advice on problems in their work place. The workers grievances included: Salaries not being paid on time; Unexplainable differences in pay and conditions between workers (differing lunch hours, provision of tea to some workers and not others, different accommodation standards and overtime payments); Restrictions on workers leaving their accommodation, inside the factory premises during their off duty time. They are allowed out only once a week, denying them their fundamental right of mobility. The Tamil workers are not allowed to go out at all and the company has not registered these workers with the area police, as required by law, making it extremely difficult for Tamil workers to leave the premises; No definite working hours; Employment Provident Fund has only been contributed recently, due to pressure from the union. It has not been contributed from the beginning of employment and not all workers have received it; No proper drinking water, toilet facilities, first aid or medical facilities provided in the work place as required by law; Safety equipment not provided. Development of the dispute: On 8 May 1999 workers formed a workplace branch of ITGWU and elected a provisional committee. 14 May One of the branch union members is questioned by Directors and asked if he had joined the union. He is told to leave his job and accommodation. The provisional Organiser is also questioned about his membership and told to leave his job immediately. 16 May The provisional President is also ordered to leave the premises. 17 May ITGWU writes to the Directors of Melbourne Metal (Pvt.) Ltd., informing them of the establishment of the branch union and requesting a discussion on the dismissal of union office bearers and member. The Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Labour are informed of these developments. 24 May An inquiry is fixed by the Assistant Commissioner of Labour. The Directors refuse to participate in the inquiry with the union present. The Assistant Commissioner accepts the Company's position. 26 May Management sends all Tamil workers on compulsory leave. All workers of the twisting section are prevented from signing the attendance register, however they are still required to work. Four more union branch members are told to stay away from work. These workers complain to the local Police Station. 29 May Management refuses work to a further six members of the union. 3 June Members stage a token one day strike to protest against the Company for not recognising the Union, terminating union members and office bearers, refusing to participate in the Labour Office and continued victimisation and intimidation of union members. The company prohibits workers living in factory accommodation from participating in the strike, they are asked to report to work one hour earlier. Union members forced to remain inside refused to work. Later some are allowed out to join the picket. Limited production with non union labour. 4 June Eight workers are issued with suspension letters for failing to report to work during the strike. Those suspended are the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, Committee Member of the Branch Union and three members. This means that all Branch Office Bearers have either been dismissed or suspended. Members vote to continue the strike until all dismissed and suspended union office bearers and members are taken back. 9 June Union members continue picketing outside the factory. The Union's demands are: Reinstate all dismissed union members and office bearers; That the Union is recognised by Management; Stop victimisation of union members; Implement the labour law in the factory; Negotiate on the list of grievances. Your action is requested: Please send messages of support to: Anton Marcus Industrial Transport and General Workers Union 141 Ananda Rajakaruna Mw Colombo 10 Sri Lanka Fax +94 74 617 711 Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please send letters of Protest to: The Directors Melbourne Metal (Pvt) Ltd 93, 2/4 Prince Street Colombo 11 Sri Lanka Fax: +94 1 438 834 The Honorable Minister of Labour Labour Ministry Colombo 5 Sri Lanka Fax: +94 1 582 938 -- Alister Air | "Excuse me for not answering your Faculty Computing Manager (HSS) | letter sooner, but I've been so Information Technology Division | busy not answering letters that I University of Technology Sydney | couldn't get round to not answering Ph: 9514 1277 Fx: 9514 1595 | yours in time." --Marx, Groucho.--
