Note: Melbourne Metal Sri Lanka has been owned by Australian companies, but
current owners are not confirmed.
Edited summary -
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, July 12, 1999 6:58 PM
Subject: ACTION AND UPDATE ON MELBOURNE METAL
Dear friends,
The workers of Melbourne Metal, Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka are still on strike more
than one month after the Company refused to recognise and negotiate with
the newly formed branch union.
Management then embarked on a spree of victimisation, suspension and
dismissal of office bearers and members of the union. The next discussion
with the Labour Department is set for the 19th of July. This is after
boarding house rent of the workers is due. Management is attempting to
break the strike by forcing workers back to work so that they have money to
pay their boarding fees.
Workers remain determined to remain on strike and win their right to form a
trade union and negotiate their grievances with management. They are
collecting money for a strike fund to be able to pay their boarding fees.
International pressure on the Company is critical at this stage, before the
Labour Department discussions on the 19th July.
Please send letters of protest to:
The Directors
Melbourne Metal (Pvt) Ltd
93, 2/4 Prince St
Colombo 11 Sri Lanka
Fax: + 94 1 438 834
Her Excellency
The President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
Presidential Secretariat
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
Fax: + 94 1 446 657
The Honorable Minister of Labour
Labour Ministry Labour Secretariat
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
Fax: + 94 1 582 938
Letters to The President and the Minister of Labour should request their
intervention to ensure that workers fundamental rights, ILO Conventions and
Sri Lankan Labour Law are upheld and that the workers demands are met.
The Company should be pressured to uphold the law of Sri Lanka and
immediately meet the workers demands.
Please send copies of protest letters and solidarity messages to:
The Industrial Transport and General Workers Union (ITGWU)
141 Ananda Rajakaruna Mw
Colombo 10
Sri Lanka
Fax + 94 74 617 711
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Thank you to those who have already sent protest letters.
If you need further information please contact us at this e-mail address:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
In Solidarity,
Anton Marcus
***
Australia Asia Worker Links
PO Box 264 Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia
Tel: 03 9419 5045 Fax: 03 9416 2746
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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