With export orders reducing due to the global recession, some factories are thinking of gifting workers with a bigger New Year holiday. Already some factories are not working on Saturdays and many have cut down over time work.
“Normally we have a 10-day break for April holidays. But some factories may increase the holiday this year, to cut costs, because of the drop in export orders,” said the Chairman of the Free Trade Zone Manufacturers Association (FTZMA), Hemaranjana Fernando.
The FTZMA represents factories inside the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, the biggest export processing zone in Sri Lanka with a workforce of around 50,000 – 60,000. “Companies in sectors other than garment exports, are also affected. For instance, gem factories are getting less orders,” said Mr Fernando.Sri Lanka’s other export processing zones are also facing the same problem.
The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF), the garment industry representative body, said garment factories are adjusting to the drop in orders in different ways. “Some garment companies may give longer holidays this year because orders have reduced, but this is an individual decision. Companies have also cut down on overtime and made other adjustments,” said JAAF Secretary General Rohan Masakorala. |
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