Jaqalanka update

9 October 2003 - Both the Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) and Nike have requested that the Fair Labor Association assist in formulating a solution to the dispute over union recognition at the Jaqalanka factory in Sri Lanka. As mentioned in several CCC Urgent Appeals, in late July a referendum was held at Jaqalanka to decide on recognition of the union and the union failed to get the required number of votes, however the proceedings (only 4% of the workers voted following an intense anti-union campaign mounted by management) were highly criticized by the FTZWU and a team of international observers. The CCC has been supporting the union's call for immediate recognition of the union based on its membership numbers. The FLA has proposed an independent audit of the union's membership records and will convene a roundtable discussion in Sri Lanka in early October among the various parties to seek an agreement on a way forward. Meanwhile, VF Corporation (Jaqalanka's main customer) has not responded to any of the CCC's requests that they take action in support of freedom of association at their supplier. Please send VF a letter today to request that they support the FTZWU at Jaqalanka.