BY Pamodi WaravitaTrade unions (TUs) representing the workers in the Free Trade Zones (FTZs) have written to the Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva on Tuesday (24) claiming the Delta (B.1.617.2) Covid-19 variant of Indian origin has ravaged the FTZs and placed the workers in grave danger. “Many workers are falling victim to the virus with reports showing that even up to 11 workers test positive per day from each company. These include a 40% increase in the conducting of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests and Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) on workers within the Zones. The unions have further claimed that hospitals surrounding the FTZs are also prejudiced against FTZ workers. However, they have requested the Labour Ministry to reinstate a full salary payment for all workers as last year’s agreement was only a temporary measure to support the industry during an emergency situation.

Source: The Nation August 25, 2021 20:15 UTC