The process of drafting this report has allowed Dabindu Collective to reflect current violations of the C-190 with particular attention to
gender-based violence in and outside the workplace and the impacts of this violence on women working in the FTZs. This report serves as the reflection of the situation of women workers in the garment sector through this research to help the policy makers to use the measures in various fields to improve the resources and mechanisms of the women workers.
Women working in Free Trade Zones continue to face violence and harassment in and outside the workplace without adequate recourse and redressal mechanisms. In the last two years, in particular, the economic crisis heightened the burden on women’s labour both at work and home. With escalating reports of violence and harassment, Dabindu identifies the urgency of ratifying C190 – Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) that obligates the state to assure a ‘safe and violent free world of work’ for workers of all genders.
Over the years Dabindu has attempted to eliminate gender-based violence among women working in the FTZ by deploying many projects and initiatives that led to creating dialogue among government stakeholders including public health and safety-related officials. Dabindu understands the importance of documenting gender-based violence and issues reported within and outside the factory level and presenting evidence for the discussions with stakeholders. This report presents the current violations of the C-190 with particular attention to gender-based violence in and outside the workplace and the impacts of this violence on women working in the FTZs in the Gampaha District and covers the Biyagama and Katunayake Zones. The evidence presented is indicative of the low protection and support that women workers receive and the problems this creates. Furthermore, this report provides considerations on addressing issues of
violence and harassment in the world of work. We believe the availability of this evidence-based briefing report on C-190 violations will help
strengthen the CSO collective advocacy in the Gampaha district as it will be presented at stakeholder meetings, specifically at the advocacy planning workshops meetings of the CSO collective in Katunayake.