EMPLOYEES LEFT IN THE DARK AMIDST ABRUPT GARMENT FACTORY CLOSURE

Rights groups and trade union representatives have expressed their disappointment regarding the abrupt closure of apparel giant NEXT Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, which employed over 1300 workers.

- By Kamanthi Wickramasinghe

• NEXT Manufacturing (Pvt) Ltd, an apparel giant at the Katunayake Free Trade Zone, recently closed down abruptly, destroying the livelihoods of 1300 workers

• Many of the employees were permanent employees of the apparel manufacturer and trade unions were not even informed about this decision beforehand

• Comments about the closure as a result of Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs are unfounded, as the company, according to Thushari, supplies directly to a UK-based brand

The company is being blamed for its failure to give prior notice to its employees while taking steps to inform the labour commissioner regarding their decision.

A desperate situation for employees

"Ramya Kumari (40) from Nuwara Eliya is one among 1341 employees who lost their jobs on Monday when NEXT Apparel ceased operations.

Her five-year contract was terminated abruptly.

Being a single mother of three, Ramya is the sole breadwinner in her family. "As soon as I was informed about the termination of my contract, I started a manpower job at a hotel for a daily pay of Rs. 1600," she said, speaking to the Daily Mirror.

Despite uncertainties revolving around manpower jobs, which are usually available on a temporary basis, Ramya has no option but to work 24 hours to put food on the table. "I was asked to come to the BOI on 27th to receive the balance payment the company owes me. We were told that it would be made as a partial payment and that we would get the remaining amount within three months time. But I'm not sure whether we would get it as promised," she added.