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by Talia Jayasekera

Female factory workers are now required to work 60 hours overtime per month with the amendment to the Factory Act of 1942. The law which allowed female workers 100 hours overtime per year has now been changed to 720 hours raising concerns over the safety, transport and other basic facilities available to these women.

The key issue is the possible exploitation of female workers as the 60 hours overtime are compulsory instead of being allocated on a worker-consent basis.

Though the amendment makes provision for pregnant women and nursing mothers, it may add pressure to already stressed workers doing a 10-12 hour shift per day.

The areas of industry and technology grew rapidly with the introduction of the 1977 open economy. "Sri Lanka gained many opportunities to enter into trade agreements with developed countries, of which the garment/textile industry is the most successful.

This industry exports ready-made garments to some of the major markets in the world", said a Labour Ministry official. "But growing demand must be met with specific output quotas to allow for successful trading. The country could lose out on attractive revenue-generating markets if production cannot be increased to higher standards", he continued. "The Government hopes to increase the efficiency of trading and quicken the development of the country by changing archaic laws to suit the changing economy. Countries like Bangladesh and Bahrain have implemented similar laws making overtime compulsory".

But with change comes resistance and problems. Factory workers, who wish to remain anonymous, told the Daily News that they question the feasibility of such an amendment. The working environment and factory facilities have come under scrutiny in the past for their inability to meet proper health and safety standards. Some employers are reluctant to improve facilities and the women continue to suffer. Factory workers by large are female and are often exploited by employers.

The conditions they work in are dismal and offer poor ventilation, basic necessities and facilities, leaving employees overworked and disgruntled. "Compulsory overtime would only add to our hardships", they say. "It is a violation of our rights to make us work 60 hours overtime". The standard overtime hours should ideally not exceed 40 hours per month. Refusal to work the 60 hours overtime could place them in a position of forfeiting their jobs as employers are keen to replace workers than tolerate grievances.

Exploitation of female workers is not uncommon in this country. The 60 hours may come with added benefits but these benefits might not be worthwhile for the workers. Agreeing to the overtime could put them at risk as thus far inadequate measures have been made for transport after late shifts. With the overtime, shifts will run late into the night and transport will be necessary for these women. The risk of rape and robbery are high for them. "It is unfair to make the overtime compulsory, we should be given a choice. We have our safety and health to think about", said one female factory worker.

The problem of unemployment also comes into consideration as extending the overtime hours means increasing the number of unemployed. Work can be carried out by overtime workers and companies will not consider adding to the workforce. The gap between the employed and unemployed may widen as a result.

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