Collective voice in the absence of collective bargaining: Women workers and labour regulation in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry

Collective bargaining is a powerful tool at the hands of workers to negotiate just and safe working conditions.

However, the declining trade union presence and the absence of autonomous forms of voice place workers and their rights at risk. A majority of women workers in labour intensive apparel industry is considered a source of industrial peace.

Focusing on Sri Lanka's apparel industry, in post-covid times, this presentation explores how women workers action their collective voice and negotiate their workplace and related rights.

This seminar is Achalie's mid-term doctoral candidature presentation.

About the Speaker

Achalie Kumarage is a PhD candidate at the School of Regulation and Global Governance of The Australian National University. Achalie's research interests include gender, labour regulation and legal pluralism. Her PhD research focuses on worker voice in regulating Sri Lanka's apparel industry, with a focus on women workers.

This seminar presentation will be online-only only for external audiences.

ANU staff and students can attend in-person in the RegNet Level 2 Teaching Room, Room 2.10, 8 Fellows Rd (maximum capacity of 12 persons only; covid safety protocols apply).

Image credit: Image of women garment workers in Sri Lanka; supplied by the presenter.