EU visiting delegation assesses need to continue GSP +
The visiting European Union delegation monitoring the continuation of the GSP + concessions to Sri Lanka has queried from the apparel industry the reason to continue with this facility under the current circumstances where there are concerns about human rights.
It is learnt that though the prevailing record of the country relating to human rights may not be good, if the country provides some response to defend this issue then they will consider the continuation of the concessions, industry sources said.
A team of senior EU officials was on a official visit to Sri Lanka from September 27 to October 5 to review Sri Lanka’s progress in implementing the 27 international conventions applicable under the Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
They had queried from the exporters why this benefit should be continued if Sri Lanka was not adhering to the rules.
During the meeting (with exporters) they had raised concerns relating to the issues highlighted by the trade unions to which the exporters had noted that they were in engagement with the trade unions following the signing of an MOU.
The trade unions which met the visiting EU delegation had stated that they had raised key issues with the delegation like the government harassment of trade unions leaders and activists.
A statement issued by the joint trade unions representing workers in the Free Trade Zone, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, seafarers, mercantile sector workers, commercial and industrial workers, teachers, bank and estate workers, have called to rescind the emergency laws established which are curbing the fundamental civil liberties of the people.
Moreover, the COVID-19 health guidelines should not be abused to stifle right to freedom of expression and protesting.
The trade unions have also called to stop the deployment of the police and its criminal investigation units to harass, threaten, intimidate, subject to surveillance and discourage trade union and civil society activists from exercising their right to protests.
An end to all forms of judicial harassment against trade unions and civil society; an adoption of laws to protect workers against anti – union discrimination; introduce a transparent multi-stakeholder monitoring mechanisn under the observance or supervision of the local EU Delegation Office to ensure compliance with the Core Conventions of the ILO and improve the deteriorating labour rights’ situation in the country, was also emphasised.
The EU Delegation in Colombo issued a statement that the monitoring mission addressed issues impacting human rights and the rule of law, economic, social, and cultural rights, and labour relations. The visiting officials discussed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), recalling that the amendment of the PTA was a key commitment in readmitting Sri Lanka to the GSP+ scheme in 2017. The meetings also reviewed drugs policy, environment and climate change, as well as corruption.