 Union
recognition at Jaqalanka!!22 Oct 2003 Dear all, We are happy
to report very good news: the Jaqalanka workers won their fight to get the union
recognized! Find below a message from the Free Trade Zone Workers Union, and the
press release send out by the CPA and the FLA. We will post the full text of the
agreement on our website. Thanks to all of you who participated in the campaign
and please continue responding to these calls for action!
 MESSAGE
FROM FTZWU
Dear Comrades and Friends, We are happy to inform you
that the Free Trade Zones Workers Union (FTZWU) and Jaqalanka Ltd have reached
an agreement to the long running dispute at the Jaqalanka factory in Sri Lanka,
with the intervention of the Fair Labor Association (FLA), Centre for Policy Alternatives
(CPA) and with the assistance of ALL of YOU. The copy of the typed agreement,
the Memorandom of Settlement and the Press Release from Center for Policy Alternatives
are attached below for your information. Essentially this agreement means
that most of the union's demands have been met and Jaqalanka has agreed to recognize
the FTZWU as the representative of the workers and will refrain from any victimization
or harassment of union members. The FTZWU has agreed to cease its International
Campaign and suspend complaints lodged with the ILO. This situation will be reassessed
after 6 months and the progress made in implementing the agreement will be reviewed. This
is a significant and substantial victory for the brave union members of Jaqalanka,
the FTZWU generally and the workers of Sri Lanka. We thank EVERYONE for their
interest in and support of this campaign. Your solidarity support and actions
helped make this happen. The agreement requires that all campaigning ceases.
Therefore, we request you to stop further action. With lots of Solidarity
and Strength from us all, Anton Marcus General Secretary, FTZWU
Jaqalanka
Branch Union
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