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With the abolishment of the quota system from 2005 the garment
industry is facing an uphill task for sustenance.
Small and medium size factories are gradually winding up while the
others who are just few in number and financially stable have taken up
the challenge of a free market but are now facing irritating compliances
and allied issues by overseas buyers.
For instance factories in existence for over 15 years are now called
upon to comply with strange compliances underrating our awareness and
expertise in this trade.
At the initial stages of this trade factories succumbed to any price
offered by buyers to gain benefits from the State and banks as this
trade generated employment. All the legal requirements were complied
with when the State gave the go ahead signal to commence business.
Overnight we had big-time buyers opening plush offices in the City to
monitor their orders and this went on very well with several
unscrupulous dealings and overseas trips taking place.
Today the scenario is quite different. Most big time foreign buyers
are no more. There is now a new breed of buyers. These are the
retrenched staff of the quota-time companies (now defunct) who know the
tricks of the trade and foreign exchange manipulations, using powerful
name styles to create an impression and communicating only by e-mail,
fax and telephone.
They do not even have letterheads. They operate like NGOs having only
a nameboard table and chair and communicating equipment.
Our factory owners who have invested heavily over the years to update
operations, negotiate with such buyers for the sake of survival. What is
baffling is none of these new fangled buyers forward their country
company registration or authorisation certificate to transact business
outside their country but want us to provide all our certificates and
worse follow their global compliance principles.
Many factories are now being cheated by these new fangled mushroom
buyers who are nothing but commission agents and when they cannot find
buyers for their products conveniently ask for shipments to be delayed
and since these are seasonal garments, discounted prices are asked for
and factories submit to these conditions just to get rid of stocks
piling up.
There are many constraints factories are subjected to in imports,
exports and factory administration. Also mushroom buyers send
representatives to audit compliance requirements of factories and demand
USD 1,000 per visit.
The money is a waste if the compliance issues are unsatisfactory and
considered unsuitable for business contracts and these are factories
that have been in operation for the past 20 years and winning awards.
It is time the authorities and BOI formulate rules and conditions
that foreign buyers must comply with in order to safeguard our factories
against frauds and cheats.
If we are to be fingerprinted to visit countries, is there anything
wrong in formulating our own rules as well to safeguard our country's
interest?
BERNARD ELANGAGE,
Kotte.
A disturbing situation has arisen after most residents of the scheme
have purchased their dwelling units.
The National Housing Development Authority (NHDA) does not seem to be
interested in the welfare of the scheme any more.
Amenities such as electricity to corridors/ stairways, sweeping and
cleaning of the outer-perimeter and periodical colour-washing all of
which were provided by the NHDA from inception are being withdrawn.
When the residents purchased these units, they did so in the belief
these facilities would be theirs forever and now they feel let-down.
Taking advantage of the situation, some occupants are making
structural alterations as they like without proper authority. Other than
the extend of land specified in the title deed all other land is
considered common elements which is co-owned by all residents.
Any alteration or extension is therefore a serious encroachment of
others' property and a violation of the law.
If this trend is allowed to continue, the entire complex would soon
become uninhabitable and may even collapse causing loss of life. In
addition business activities such as large-scale tuition classes,
computer and tailor-training centres are operating in violation of
existing regulations.
The residents who are affected by these illegal activities are
watching helplessly not knowing where to turn for relief.
Residents fear any objection would disturb the peace and harmony
prevailing among occupants. The poor residents cannot seek relief from
courts because of the high cost of litigation.
The Common Amenities Board which handled matters concerning
condominium property management was replaced by the Condominium
Management Authority with wider powers by an amendment to the Common
Amenities Board Daw No 10 of 1973.
The NHDA, UDA, CMC, Water Board and Finance Ministry among others
constitute the Board of Management of the Condominium Management
Authority.
Clause 10, Section 9, a specifically sets out the procedure to be
adopted for the demolition of unauthorised constructions on 'complaints'
or on 'information'.
Therefore, should it not be the concern, if not a fundamental
obligation of the state to intervene and protect the interests of the
residents?
A. R.,
Colombo 10.
There is an enormous confusion in the traffic flow at the above
intersection every morning after 6.45 a.m. This continues for about 2
hours.
The confusion is caused by a traffic constable who operates his own
signalling system independently of the traffic lights.
Any vehicle approaching the busy intersection comes ready to be
directed by the traffic lights.
When the driver is about to start and move, the traffic constable
stops him. The reverse also happens - vehicles that are stopped at the
red light are suddenly signalled to move. The traffic queues are
enormous and the waste of time and fuel is criminal.
The important question is, are these traffic constables acting on
their own, or are they directed to act in this idiotic manner by the
traffic officer at the Bambalapitiya police?
DENZIL DE ZILWA,
Colombo 5.
Any person who believes that Supremo Prabhakaran will give up his
'royalty' is fooling him/herself.
"Power corrupts; and absolute power corrupts absolutely!" That
statement is true as long as there are human beings on planet earth.
Why would Prabhakaran even think of a negotiated peaceful solution to
the LTTE problem when he and his cronies are 'living high on the hog,'
with wine, women and song, using millions of dollars, pounds and Euros,
being 'highjacked' into their coffers by LTTE thugs 'lying abroad?'
The Supremo also knows that the moment a peace deal is signed, he
will have to come out of his closet, and that he will face a bullet.
So why should Prabha run a risk like that by agreeing to a peace-deal
as long as he lives?
M. WELIKALA,
via email. |
