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| Wednesday, 17 March 2004 |
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Blighted lives bringing big money Gender Dialogue by Nadira Gunatilleke The plight of Sri Lankan working women both here and abroad is a subject that caught the attention of several parties concerned about their welfare. Both State and NGOs have taken different steps to make their lives better and safer. But according to the Campaign to Protect Migrant Workers' Rights, still about 40 dead bodies of Sri Lankan workers arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport every month and most of those are dead Sri Lankan housemaids. About 40 complaints related to sexual harassment are also reported each month. The plight of girls working in garment factories in Free Trade Zones are also highlighted from time to time. But no steps were taken to solve their problems. According to some media reports some housemaids who have been tortured and abused by their employers seek shelter and protection at Sri Lankan Embassies and High Commissions abroad but end up becoming the prey of some Sri Lankan officials attached to those embassies and High Commissions. This is a very pathetic situation. What is behind this situation? Many things depend on money and power. The poor women have none while the perpetrators have money and influence. Therefore the perpetrators know that no matter what they do to the victims, they cannot take action against them. In other countries, only qualified and well trained persons are recruited to the Foreign Service. But in Sri Lanka the Foreign Service is sometimes the dumping ground for "unwanted persons". Because of this situation women have to undergo all the harassment, abuse and exploitation. Although relevant authorities made arrangements to send Sri Lankan women abroad as housemaids neither the State nor NGOs have made arrangements to look after their families especially girl children. This situation has caused major social destruction where some fathers use their own daughters as wives. Once Women's Affairs Ministry and Buddhasasana Ministry launched a program to obtain the help of Sil Matas to rehabilitate the families of female migrant workers. But such program will not cover a significant portion of the affected families. Therefore there should be a practical program to protect the girl children and the rest of the family members of female migrant workers. The condition of girls in the garment sector is the same. They have numerous problems including safety and financial difficulties. The Women's Affairs Ministry once tried to solve their accommodation problem by setting up hostels but it was not successful because due to lack of planning. Female garment workers continue to suffer from lack of accommodation. According to some female garment workers some factories use what are called `toilet cards' to send one or two workers to the toilet at a time. Normally pregnant women need to use the toilet often but they also have to bear up until the one who precedes them returns. This is a violation of human rights but no one utters a word or takes action against the managements of such factories. Some girls have to sacrifice their virginity to sustain their jobs and to keep the home fires burning. Common labour laws hardly apply in some of these factories. The girls have to walk through dark lonely streets after work and often they get abused and robbed. Sometimes their packed boarding houses are attacked by men. Such boarding houses do not have proper doors and are not safe. Sometimes married men force garment girls to have illicit affairs with them and if they oppose such men abuse them in public. A large number of young rural girls are cheated by such men. Sometimes such men murder innocent girls after taking all their valuables and hard earned money. Sri Lanka's highest foreign exchange generating avenues are the garment industry, foreign employment and tea. Women are the main workforce of all those three fields in the national economy. Therefore it is the responsibility of the nation to ensure their safety and welfare. |
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