US State Department to take up labor case against Sri Lanka next Tuesday

The United States Department of State hearing on the alleged violation of labor laws in Sri Lanka is to be taken up on Tuesday (28) in Washington, DC local media reports state.
Statements from representatives from the Sri Lankan government and trade unions are to be recorded at the hearing. The government team had left for the US earlier today.
A six-member team comprising of Commerce Director General Gomis Senadheera, Deputy Director Gothami Indikadahewa, External Affairs Ministry Acting Director General Varuni Muthukumarana, Labour Ministry Senior Legal Advisor Poshitha Perera, External Affairs Ministry Assistant Director R.P.Wimalasena, Labour Ministry Senior Assistant Secretary U.S. Athukorala is expected to represent Sri Lanka at the public hearing.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) filed a petition in 2008 with the US Government requesting a review of worker rights in Sri Lanka. The organization resubmitted an updated petition last year asking the US Trade Representative (USTR) to remove Sri Lanka from the list of eligible developing countries to receive GSP.
The president of the Free Trade Zone Workers Union (FTZWU) Anton Marcus has reportedly said that he would also be testifying at the inquiry.
The government accuses the FTZWU of being involved in a mission funded by NGOs to tarnish the image of the country and harm the industry. Reportedly Marcus has lodged a complaint to the AFL-CIO in 2008 but they have ignored it. He has raised the issue once again in last year prompting the USTR to initiate action.
A US team visited Colombo in August to engage in a dialogue with the governmenton the labor law violations and to review its GSP process.
Meanwhile, head of the Sri Lanka Nidahas Sewaka Sangamaya Lesley Devendra is to represent the government party trade unions.