Sri Lanka Women's Aid: Rana Plaza Explained

We interview our partners Sri Lanka Women's Centre on the 10th Anniversary of the Rana Plaza Building Collapse.

We are on a mission to empower female garment workers and promote economic justice. That’s why we are proud to partner with Women’s Centre Sri Lanka, a grassroots organisation that empowers women and girls working in the garment sector in Sri Lanka.

Their mission is to ensure women’s rights by empowering workers subjected to oppression, violence and injustice, providing knowledge and leadership skills that enables them to challenge gender-based discrimination. We interviewed them on the 10th Anniversary of the Rana Plaza Disaster about garment worker justice and how to end violence against women in the sector.

1. What was the impact of the Rana Plaza collapse in other countries such as Sri Lanka?

The Rana Plaza Tragedy caused a big occupational health problem & marked the garment industry as unsafe. There was a global opinion that the workers were working in inhumane conditions. Even the Pope said that the garment workers were in a semi-slave service. The world’s attention was focused on the garment workers. This had an impact on Sri Lanka as well, that special attention should be paid to the safety of employees, and brands were influenced to confirm the safety of the buildings before placing orders.

2. What is happening in Sri Lanka currently to garment workers and why is it a global feminist issue?

The economic crisis that came with the Covid epidemic affected the jobs of workers. Workers lost their jobs with injust terminations; no compensation was given. Women workers became victims of domestic violence along with the decrease in their income. This is a sensitive human issue and this cannot be avoided by women’s organizations with a feminist vision because it is an industry where women work in the majority.

3. Tell us about the project The Circle and Women’s Centre Sri Lanka are collaborating on to support garment workers and how those facing violence are being supported?

Women’s Centre is partnering with the Circle for the past 2 years and our project is a great opportunity for us to strengthen women workers/survivors of gender-based violence who are working in the garment industry through awareness raising, networking, advocacy, and psychosocial support.

4. What can I do to support garment worker justice?