ANNUAL REPORT. Institute of Social Development

Transcription

1 2012 ANNUAL REPORT Institute of Social Development

2 ANNUAL REPORT Institute of Social Development

3 Published by: Institute of Social Development No 37, Bodhiyangana Mawaa, Kandy, Sri Lanka Tel: / Fax: Website: Prepared by: Kalani Ranasinghe, Institute of Social Development. Printing & Designing by Your feeling our creations # 28/20, A.A. Dharmasena Mw, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Tel : / globlecreationk18@gmail.com i

4 Abbreviations ACTFORM : Action Network for Migrant Workers BftW : Bread for e World CBO : Community Based Organization CDF : Community Development Forums CSR : Corporate Social Responsibility DS : Divisional Secretariat EPF : Employees' Provident Fund ILO : International Labour Organization ISD : Institute of Social Development ITD : International Tea Day IWD : International Women's Day LG : Local Government NGF : Newton Gunasinghe Foundation NGO : Non Governmental Organization PC : Provincial Council PS : Pradeshiya Sabha PSSF : Plantation Sector Social Forum RPC : Regional Plantation Company TU : Trade Union WWF : Working Women's Front ii

5 Contents / ß Æ ØÆ 0 Ø v Introduction v Governance v Resources and Cooperation vi Board of Members vi Strengening Citizenry Leadership among e Tea Plantation Community (i) Good Governance 01 (ii) Street eatre 03 Advocacy and Campaign (i) Advocating e Pradeshiya Sabha members on e Inclusion of Plantation Settlement in e Jurisdiction of Local Government 04 (ii) Advocacy discussion on Delimitation 05 (iii) Campaign to ensure e political representation of Indian Origin Hill Country Tamils 08 in e Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and to promote Civil Council Working Women's Front (WWF) 09 WWF first case -Ms S. Sivapakkiyam's labour dispute 10 (i) Observation of International Women's Day 10 (ii) Observation of May Day 12 Sabadam- a determination of organized / unorganized sector workers 13 UTZ Tea Certification 13 Girl Ambassadors for Human Rights 15 Enhancing e English Language skill of plantation girls to secure livelihood 16 Capacity building 17 Network (a) CBO Federation 18 (b) Plantation Sector Social Forum 18 (c) Migrant workers and social protection 18 International Network (a) Decent work and social protection 19 (b) Peace and tolerance for good governance 19 Library 19 Tea Plantation Workers' Museum and Archive 20 Financial Overview 21 iii

6 Preface It is my pleasure to present e Annual Report 2012 of Institute of Social Development (ISD). The report produces a gist of activities rough which ISD was able to broaden its scope, make new links and gain a number of qualitative experiences. I express my appreciation for ISD staff for eir commitment to complete e planned activities. I also ank our donors for e support given to us to implement e programmes. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to e key stakeholders; e tea plantation community members, trade unionists, NGO members, e Peoples' Representatives, Executives and e staff of e plantation companies, District and Divisional Secretaries and e Officers of Local Government Institutions for eir cooperation and support to accomplish ISD's activities to achieve its goal. March, 2013 Kandy, Sri Lanka P. Muulingam Executive Director. iv

7 Organizational Profile Institute of Social Development (ISD) was started in 1991 by a group of individuals of diverse backgrounds. The main focus of e institution had been to uplift e lives of e minority tea plantation community. The group identified at in order to bring sustainable changes for e tea plantation community; a collective voice must be raised by e community. Based on is concept, ISD started its activities of empowering e marginalized plantation community on eir rights, and capacitating em to win and safeguard eir rights. Introduction In e last two decades, ISD actively involved itself in creating awareness among e plantation community on good governance and on human rights. ISD identified at e exclusion of e plantation worker settlements from e local government framework as e main obstacle to eir right to development, and at it prevented e elected Local Government representatives from extending eir development services to e plantation community. From e beginning of e year 2012, ISD broadened its activities for larger marginalized minority groups of e country by expanding its vision and mission. From e inception, ISD has played an intermediary role towards strengening e flow of government services to e estate community. ISD initiated programmes to empower e plantation community guiding em to create a sustained society. ISD has continued its advocacy activities by advocating e policy makers to formulate policies to overcome is impasse. Furer, ISD actively involved in securing e rights of domestic workers and unorganized sector workers rough e Working Women's Front as well as ose working wi trade unions. Since 2010, ISD played of e role as Sri Lankan facilitator to promote UTZ certification for e tea estates and factories, its main objective being to create sustainability of e tea sector while providing a less exploited, pollution free and worker-friendly environment for e tea plantation community. By promoting e factories to obtain e UTZ certification, ISD plans to increase monetary and welfare benefits to e plantation community in e long run. Governance ISD is legally registered under e Social Service Act in 1995 and later registered itself under e Ministry of Social Services (Regd. L ), adhering to e new provision of e government. The governing body of ISD consists of a General Council and an Executive Committee. The General Council meets annually and elects e Executive Council whose term expires after two years. Generally, e Executive Committee meets rice a year, but e number of meetings may increase whenever necessary, to take necessary decisions, and to review organizational progress. The Executive Director leads e organization on behalf of Executive Committee and is e Chairman of Executive Committee on an ex-officio basis. v

8 Resources and Cooperation The year 2012 was e first year of ISD's major project which was e continuation of previous good governance project. It was supported by Bread for e World (BftW), as e main donor for core activities and recurrent expenses. ISD also received a grant for e Girl Ambassadors for Human Rights project based on Tea Plantation Workers' Museum and Archive. ISD expresses gratitude for Hon. Mrs. Anushya Siwarajah, e Minister of Central Province Education (Tamil), e Sarasway Central College, students and parents, Principal and staff and all e officers of Gampola Zonal and Kandy Provincial Education Department and Ministries for extending eir cooperation for e project activities. Since 2010, Solidaridad has been supporting e UTZ Tea Certification project in e tea sector. Moreover, e Christian Aid provided seed funds for e Enhance e English language skill of plantation girls to secure livelihood project. In addition, e Global Network sponsored e advocacy strategies on social protection and participatory budgeting conference in relation to decent work and social protection. Board of Members Mr. P. Muulingam, Executive Director, Institute of Social Development Prof. R. Sivakanesan, Head of Department of Bio-Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya. Mr. S. Muraliaran, National Advisor, GTZ education programme, Ministry of Education. Prof. S. Senaviratne, Senior Lecturer, Department of Archaeology, University of Peradeniya. Ms. Gowri Palaniyappan, a Social Activist, Researcher. Ms. Nilmini Weerasinghe, an English Literature Teacher, Seewali Maha Vidyalaya, Ratnapura. Mr. R. Thangavelu, General Secretary, Ceylon National Worker's Congress. vi

9 Vision Excluded communities and groups mainstream wi dignity and equal rights. Mission Strengen e marginalized plantation, rural communities and groups towards sustainable social changes based on democracy, equity, social justice, freedom and peace. vii

10 Strengening Citizenry Leadership among e Tea Plantation Community (i) Good Governance Strengening citizenry leadership among tea plantation community on Good Governance is e objective of ISD's main project. ISD continues its capacity building programme for e four year. CBOs showed good leadership and interaction skills wi local government officers and gained many services from DSs. Not limiting to obtaining e CBO registration; CBOs strengened eir interactions rough frequent visits. Wi ISD's guidance CBO members applied to relevant departments or ministries and attempted to have e community requirements fulfilled. New peacock Ayurvedic medical camp Wi e peaceful situation in e country, you from e plantation community tend to move to cities on e lookout for new employment opportunities. It created a challenging task for ISD to retain CBO members. In many cases ISD had to start regularizing e CBOs afresh. The members of Udayam Social Development Association of Madulkelle, Bowhill Social Development Association of Bowhill and Hatale Development society of Hatale who sought CBO registration from e respective DSs actively coordinated wi ISD. Through a series of community level discussions, CBO members were enlightened on e significance of transparency, accountability; democracy and collective leadership in CBOs. The participants were encouraged to call meetings once a mon to update e interaction. Udayaarakei women s CBO of New Peacock visited e Udapalaa DS and e DS officers consented to arrange an Ayurvedic medical camp for New Peacock estate community. On May , e camp was held wi e support of Thiruwalluvar CBO of New Peacock estate and Nayapana CBO of Nayapana estate. 105 patients were reported being treated at e camp which included old aged persons and workers. The CBO members noted e appreciative feedback received from e community. It was e first incident where a DS organized an Ayurvedic medical camp in an estate. Patients awaiting eir turn 01

11 Ms. P. Bawani, aged 28 a member of Dunaly Social Development Association of Dunaly who has studied up to Ordinary Level, participated in 3 days Preschool training conducted by Deltota DS. She is a teacher in e Upper Dunaly preschool where she is involved in preparing syllabus, keeping record book, monitoring, studying child psychology. She st received e five days training from 31 October 2012 onwards. Dunaly CBO discussion As an outcome of ISD's awareness of importance of linking wi LG institutions; e Upper Dunaly 'Vision preschool' was registered under e Deltota DS. The members of Dunaly Social Development Association of Dunaly also conducted 'Divineguma' programme wi cooperation of Deltota officers, Grama Niladhari on 18 April Through e programme 29 members of five families were benefited by receiving seeds, plants and trainings. In e evaluation conducted by Deltota DS office, 2 members received certificates for completing e task according to DS's requirements. The programme is continuously evaluated by DS. st On October , Nayapana Peoples' Development Association of Nayapana forwarded a letter to His Excellency e President and copies to e Director of e Provincial Road Development Auority requesting to carpet e Nayapana- Gampola main road. They have mentioned e inconvenience caused for e community, school children and patients. A reply was received from nd e Presidential Secretariat under ref. number CSI/23/21/5/2/ dated October promising initiatives, and e commissioner has also replied to carpet e road immediately. Similarly highlighting e difficulties caused for e Nayapana School and e general community of e area; Nayapana Peoples' Development Association requested e Gampola SLTB Depot to restore e service of e two buses at were working in Nayapana-Gampola main road. st On October , e New peacock Thirvalluwar Social Development Association of New peacock, made a request letter to His Excellency e President and copies to e Director of e Provincial Road Development Auority to repair and carpet e Doragala-Gampola main road. It's an indicator at CBO leaders have understood e importance of good infrastructure for e community development. Similarly, ISD promoted independent women's groups for a gender responsive governance. The Sarasway Women's Development Society of Dunaly, Udayaarakei Women's Development Society of New peacock and Minnum Rojakal Women's Development Society of Kaloogalle formed women's groups, and ey have applied for registration under e Child Development and Women's Affairs Ministry. The women's groups are rarely able to receive e support from e male counterparts. The male trade union leaders of e estates undermine and discourage e women who involve in ese activities. 02

12 (i) Street Theatre ISD believes at street eater is a strong mode of communication for e people of plantations as ey are naturally attached to cultural and traditional performances. So under e main eme of good governance, ISD performed street dramas to inject correct ideologies to make em challenge prevailing negative practices, common among e plantation community. During 2012, ISD conducted street dramas on several divisions attracting larger spectators. The varied emes of drama called to stop child labour, resist domestic violence, women battering, and workplace violence. Cultural dance before e performance Spectators' comments and e incidents reported after e performances were evident to e fact at e community took initiatives to reverse many of ose negative issues. Street drama performance at Ambalamani estate During e performance of street drama a special incident happened at Ambalamani estate where two vans at came to e estate in search of children to deploy as domestic labourers had driven back after witnessing e drama performance. 03

13 Advocacy and Campaign (i) Advocating e Pradeshiya Sabha members on e Inclusion of Plantation Settlement in e Jurisdiction of Local Government ISD, as e initiator in highlighting and advocating e plantation political parties and civil societies on e inclusion of plantation settlement under e jurisdiction of Local Government, went a step ahead by preparing an amendment to Section 33 of Pradeshiya Sabha Act of Dr. Jayampay Wickramaratne, e Presidential Counsel is proceeding wi e preparation of e amendment. Wi e assistance of Mr. R. Yogarajan MP, Mr. Digambaram MP, Mr. Radha Krishnan MP, ISD was able to raise e issue in e parliament and receive a positive response from e Minister to present e Amendment. First Session of e Seven Parliament Minutes of e Four Meeting of e Consultative Committee on Local Government and Provincial Councils. rd (23 May, 2012 at 2.30 p.m. in Committee Room No. 02) 6.12 Inability of allocating funds by e Pradeshiya Sabhas for e development activities in estates as per e Local Government Auority Act (Hon. R. Yogarajan) The Hon. MP drew e attention on inability to allocate funds by e Pradeshiya Sabhas for e development activities in estates as per e Article 19 of e Local Government Auority Act and pointed out at as per e Article 33 of e said Act it is unfair to include at if a Pradeshiya Sabha is carried out any development activity in an estate e cost incurred to be charged by e estate owner. He stressed e need of amending e said Act and agreed to send e draft prepared in at regard. The Secretary to e Ministry who informed to send e draft to e Ministry agreed to study on it and to do e needful Request to establish a new Pradeshiya Sabha in e Ambegamuwa Pradheshiya Sabha area in e Nuwaraeliya district (Hon. R. Yogarajan) The Hon. MP requested to establish a new Pradeshiya Sabha by dividing e said Pradeshiya Sabha area into two parts as it is an area wi a high density population. Consultative Committee Office Parliament of Sri Lanka Secretary Consultative Committee on Local Government and Provincial Councils. (This Minutes were approved by e Additional Secretary to e Ministry by his letter dates ) Translation: done by Kani Peiris 04

14 (ii) Advocacy discussion on Electoral Reform and Delimitation In e meantime, ISD continued its lobby for local government electoral reforms to enhance Indian Origin Hill Country Tamil Community representation. Several rounds of discussion were held in Colombo inviting plantation sector parliamentarians, politicians, academics and civil society members. A forum was formed in order to discuss common issues of e plantation community and Mr. Thanaraj, one of Mr. P. Muulingam, Director addressing e floor e forum members prepared a Concept Paper which is in e process of circulation. The main goal of it is to get e contribution of all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions to e Indian Origin hill Country plantation community. ENSURED POLITICAL REPRESENTATION On 10 July an advocacy discussion was held in Hotel Janaki, Colombo to ensure e political representation of Indian Origin Hill Country Tamils in e Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council. Since 2008, e Hill Country Tamils of Sabaragamuwa Province were unable to elect representatives to e Council. The main cause was at Hill country Tamil parties contested e election aligned wi major political parties. As a result of it, e Tamil candidates were unable to obtain preferential votes compared to eir Sinhalese counterparts. It resulted in e loss of Tamil representation. Taking into consideration is issue, ISD forged an alliance of e plantation political parties to contest e election in order to ensure e representation. Political representatives from National Workers' Union, Upcountry workers' Front, UNP & Democratic Peoples' Front and civil society leaders including academics, intellectuals and trade unionists were present in e discussion. The political parties agreed to contest, unitedly. Following e 10 July discussion, CWC, UPF and DPF formed an Alliance and contested e election. As a result of it, two representatives were elected to e Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council from Ratnapura and Kegalle districts. It was a historical event where hill country Tamils of Kegalle and Ratnapura elected eir representatives. Mr. R. Yogarajan MP expressing views Mr. Mano Ganesan MP addressing e floor Mr. P. P. Devaraj expressing 05

15 SUBMISSION TO THE NATIONAL DELIMITATION COMMITTEE In consequence of a constructive analysis and a detail discussion among e undersigned members who are also e members of civil society and political parties and academia wish to bring e following concerns and recommendations to e attention of e National Delimitation Committee appointed by e Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Governance for e purpose of demarcating e wards wiin e Local Auorities. 01. There is a fear among e undersigned members at Indian Tamils/Upcountry Tamils will be at disadvantage if ey are continued to be recognized as e same. It was noted at e census on population in 2011 highlights a significant reduction of Indian Tamils mainly due to misclassification. Hence, a majority of e Indian Tamils have been classified as Sri Lankan Tamils. In is context, bo Sri Lanka Tamils and Indian Tamils should be considered as one group in e process of demarcating wards. 01. The undersigned group of members consensually wishes to appeal not to use any of e existing public administration structures i.e. GN division or existing wards, for e purpose of demarcating e ward boundaries as ey do not focus on e enic ratio nor e necessity to ensure e representation of people of all enic groups as much as possible at e lowest level of e political entity. 02. In is regard, we furer wish to reiterate e importance of adhering to e principles laid in e Local Government elections (Amendment ) Act No 22 of 2012 a. e ratio of e enic composition of e local auority concerned, and e need to ensure representation on e basis of enic ratio; b. e geographical area of e local auority and its physical features, c. e population of e local auority area and e density of such population and d. e level of economic development of e local auority 03. Standing in line wi first guideline provided by e Act 'e ratio of e enic composition of e local auority concerned, and e need to ensure representation on e basis of enic ratio' e National Delimitation Committee should advice e District Delimitation Committees to ensure e numerical minority's representation at e Local Government level as much as possible. 04. For is purpose, primarily a comprehensive understanding on e enic distribution wiin e Local Auority area needs to be obtained by e Committees. Based on e distribution of e enic groups, e committees should decide e number of wards as well as e multi member wards to ensure eir democratic representation. 06

16 05. Most importantly, in e process of demarcating e wards it is best to avoid dividing a community at physically concentrated togeer, particularly a numerically minority community among two or more wards, but should focus more on preserving eir physically integrated nature much as possible. 06. Already made recommendation to increase e number of Pradeshiya Sabhas (PS) in e Plantation Districts should also be taken into consideration in e process of demarcating e wards as it should be noted at ere is a serious anomaly between e number of PS and e number of Tamils in e Nuwara Eliya district of e Central Province in particular. 07. The proposed demarcation of wards should not in any way result in e reduction of e present number of representatives of e numerically minority communities hindering all attempts towards post war reconciliation. 08. The National Delimitation Committee should follow a people's friendly process considering e sensitivity of e issue and e value of e process as e basis of democratic representation. Signatories: a) Step 01: Wider publicity among e public and political parties encouraging e submissions for e National Delimitation Committee on e demarcation of wards at e Local Government level. b) Step 02: National Delimitation Committee to review e submissions and produce e draft report on delimitation of wards. c) Step 03: Consultations wi e public and political parties based on e draft report on delimitation. d) Step 04: National Delimitation Committee to finalize e proposals on delimitation of wards. e) Step 05: Finalized proposals to be submitted to e Hon Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government. f) Step 06: Finalized proposals to be shared wi e Commissioner of Elections rough Hon President to be used for e purpose of conducting Local Government Elections. Name Organization/ Political party Signature 07

17 (iii) Campaign to ensure e political representation of Indian Origin Hill Country Tamils in e Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council ISD launched a massive campaign among e middle and top level decision makers; parliamentarians, political party leaders and civil society members to increase e political representation of e plantation community in e Provincial Council. The campaign targeted e Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council election because Ratnapura and Kegalle districts have considerably a large population of hill country Tamil voters. But due to preferential voting system e hill country Tamil representation in e Provincial Council or parliament is very low. Therefore, ISD promoted an alliance of political parties to contest on a common platform. The imperative need of e alliance was to ensure e rights and needs of e Indian Origin Hill Country Tamils in e Sabaragamuwa Province. ISD's advocacy was a success in at e rival parties contesting jointly were able to secure two seats for e Tamils in e Provincial Council. Since e introduction of Provincial Council system, e Sabaragamuwa Tamils had only once been able to elect representatives for e Ratnapura district. This was e first time where e Tamil population elected two representatives to represent em. Mr. P. Muulingam, Director addressing e Delimitation discussion Floor- November at Hotel Renuka, Colombo 08

18 Working Women's Front (WWF) The year 2012 has been significant for e Working Women's Front (WWF) because it has been e first year of its function as a trade union. WWF was inaugurated at its head office at No 37, Bodhiyangana Mawaa, Kandy. Mrs Sivapakkiyam Kumaravelu, one of e pioneer women trade unionists who demanded six hour work for e tea plantation women workers in 1946 opened e WWF Union office. The veteran trade unionists representing e tea plantation community were present on e occasion. st WWF celebrated its 1 anniversary on 16 December Ms. K. Yogeshwari General Secretary WWF addressing e gaering 2012 where past activities, memberships and Sabadam newspaper related facts were discussed and a new action plan was set up for e future year. In 2012, WWF was able to mobilize unorganized sector women as members under e trade union representing e estate sector, apparel sector, shop & office sector, home based and domestic workers. However changing employments or workplaces by e unorganized sector workers became a major challenge to mobilize e workers. WWF has conducted trade union leadership workshops for key WWF members on trade union rights, labour laws, and collective bargaining. The participants have been capacitated on world TU movement, TU movement of Sri Lanka, e definitions of organized, unorganized and informal sector workers and eir plight. In addition e key leaders have been capacitated on e existing Sri Lankan Labour Laws, Acts and on e ILO Convention 189. The advance trainings have been given to potential leaders by two veteran trade unionists namely; Mr. Murugiah, General Secretary of All Ceylon Workers Congress and Mr. Mohideen, Administrative Officer of National TU Federation. In addition, ISD Director also has conducted sessions.the participants have been instructed on labour disputes, statutory rights, negotiation, industrial disputes and role of representatives in detail by e invited TU members. Mr. M. S. A. H. Mohideen at e advance training for WWF members Ms. K. Yogeshwari General Secretary WWF at e advance training for WWF members 09

19 WWF first case -Ms S. Sivapakkiyam's labour dispute The First Labour Dispute Won by Working Women's Front Mr P. Subramaniyam was a faer to 3 children. He was an estate worker at Yahalaenna estate from October 1992 to 18 July Due to ill heal, he sent a letter on 09 November 2009 requesting hence to estate manger to obtain his gratuity. The manager ignored e request. Mr Subramaniyam died on 16 April 2012 and, ereafter his widow Mrs. S. Sivapakkiyam requested for e gratuity of her late husband. The management instead terminated her employment forcefully and took away e line room (house) occupied by her and her children. Ms. A. Devi a CBO leader and WWF member who got to know Sivapakkiyam's situation guided her to ISD. Ms Sivapakkiyam visited ISD on November 2011, but during e time WWF had not been registered and erefore ISD guided her to continue her struggle wi Mr S. Ramanaan, e General Secretary of Lanka Estate Workers' Union. He attended to her case till WWF got its union registration on 27 February After Mr Ramanaan's official notice, WWF union took up e case. As a reaction of continuous disregard of rd e Senior Labour Officer to e case, WWF union forwarded e case on 23 May 2012 to e Assistant Labour Commissioner, Kandy. The 1st labour dispute handled by e WWF to obtain statutory dues of Mrs. S. Sivapakkiyam of Yahalaenna estate and her deceased husband a success. The Commissioner of Labour ordered payment of e gratuity of Rs 75,600/=, and penalty charges of Rs 22,680/= and her husband's gratuity and penalty charges, in a sum of Rs 49,600/=. OBSERVATION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY WWF commemorated e International Women's Day on March which was its ird major event. Over 300 women workers from informal and unorganized sector participated in e event. In her speech, Ms. K. Yogeshwari, General Secretary of WWF explained at as a trade union, Working Women's Front represent e organized, unorganized and informal sector women workers regarding eir labour, trade union rights as well WWF committee members at e 2012 IWD observation as for eir social security. The Senior Labour Officer of Kandy, Mr Sana Balasooriya made a speech on 'Women's labour rights in e present context'. He explained about working hours, leaves, workplace facilities wi reference to plantation workers, garment factory workers and shop workers. Ms. A. Mariyaee, a longstanding mentor of ISD and worker leader, was honored by Ms. Shanmugadeepa, Treasurer of WWF and former Udapalaa PS member. She was a former WWF leader, who committed and worked to win labour rights. Following plantation politicians and testimonies of domestic workers, e Director of Institute of Social Development Mr. P. Muulingam addressed e gaering. The International Women's Day observation ended after passing a resolution on plantation workers, unorganized sector workers and domestic workers rights. 10

20 Ms. A. Pushpam making her testimony IWD gaering Working Women's Front which represents e women workers in e private sector and which observed e International Women's Day 2012 on March unanimously resolved: 1. To urge e government to direct e private sector to increase e wages of e private sector employees adequately, for em to meet e recently increased cost of living. 2. To bring to e notice of e government at e women workers in shops and supermarkets are compelled to work e whole week wiout holiday, which is e contravention of e Shop and Office Employees Act, and to urge e government to make it mandatory for e private sector to adhere to e Shop and Office Employees Act and grant e workers one day leave per week. 3. To urge e government to ratify e recently passed ILO Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers, and to introduce legislation to safeguard e rights of e domestic workers. 4. To demand e government to safeguard e labour rights of e shop and office employees and ensure at e Shop and Office Employees Act is implemented in an adequate manner. 5. To demand e government to safeguard e right to association of e private sector workers enshrined in e Constitution. 6. To demand e government to extend passed amendments to e Maternity benefits to e plantation women workers and to e private sector women workers. 7. To urge e Employers' Federation of Ceylon to direct e plantation companies to grant half day leave to e estate women leaders to take part in e Labour Day meetings. 8. To urge e Employers' Federation of Ceylon to advise e plantation Management to appoint female representatives of e management to participate in e Labour Day in order to resolve women's specific grievances. 9. To demand e government to create a separate Female Police Unit to deal wi cases involving sexual abuses or torture against women. 11

21 OBSERVATION OF MAY DAY WWF observed its maiden May Day and e May Day rally was held under WWF President Ms. G. Aruljoy, and e members representing e private sector, plantation and e domestic sector participated. Following e speech of WWF General Secretary, Ms. Yogeshwari, a number of women representing plantation sector, migrant workers, shops and e domestic workers spoke relating eir hardships and how ey were exploited May Day rally organized by WWF A set of resolutions were unanimously passed by e WWF and actions were taken to submit a memorandum to e President of e country and e Minister of Labour May Day observation organized by WWF Working Women's Front which represents e women workers in e private sector and which observed e May st Day 2012 on May unanimously passed e following resolutions: 1. The Working Women's Front urges e government to direct e private sector to increase e wages of e private sector employees adequately, for em to meet e recently increased cost of living. 2. Presently e private sector employers pay different basic salaries. So e Working Women's Front urges e need to declare Rs 20,000/= basic salary for all workers. 3. To urge e government to ratify e recently passed ILO Convention 189 on decent work for domestic workers, and to introduce legislation to safeguard e rights of e domestic workers. 4. To demand e government to create a separate unit to deal e cases on sexual abuses of women in e work places. 5. To demand e government to bring e plantation settlements under e local government auority for em to enjoy development programmes. 6. To urge e Employers' Federation of Ceylon to direct e plantation companies to grant half day leave to e estate women leaders to take part in e Labour Day meetings. 7. To demand e government to extend passed amendments to e Maternity benefits to e plantation women workers and to e private sector women workers. 8. To demand e government to create a separate Female Police Unit to deal wi cases involving sexual abuses or torture against women. 9. To demand e government to ensure e land rights and housing rights of e plantation community and especially for e plantation women workers. 12

22 Sabadam- a determination of organized / unorganized sector workers In e year 2012, WWF released five issues of Sabadam newspaper in March, May, July, September and November The Sabadam newspaper is released once in two mons to popularize e union and to continue motivation of people on labour problems. The newspaper enlightens people on women related issues, current issues, laws and regulations and labour cases. The potential leaders circulate e newspaper among WWF members, wider community, and in certain instances given free of charge as a means of creating awareness. UTZ Tea Certification Since 2010 ISD is involved in e UTZ certification project for e sustainability of e tea sector. The main focus of e project is to promote e living conditions of e worker families, to promote e environment sustainability and quality of tea. As e follow-up step of e previous years' work, recertification on Keppetipola estate and ICS meetings were held for e group leaders and e tea inspectors. Meetings were also held wi Tea Shaki regarding e forcoming second audit of Good Inside Portal training on March 2012 Keppetipola estate. The Kelani Breaumers estate and Radella estate were also contacted for e rece rtification process. Several discussions were held wi Harrignton estate, Finlays estate, Kelani Valley estate, Poysland estate, Maurata plantations and Bio Foods about initiating e UTZ certification. Under ISD's guidance, e above mentioned estates and factories made initial preparations, orientations and discussions to receive e UTZ certification for eir respective estates and factories in e coming year. 13

23 Mr. P. Muulingam Director at Keppetipola TS factory group leaders training - April 12 Training on Good inside Portal on UTZ Certification was held on 19 March in Colombo to improve e traceability system of e UTZ Certified products. A group representing e UTZ certification from Neerlands conducted e training for producers, buyers and exporters of tea in Sri Lanka. Mr Saji Kadavil, Senior Programme Manager of Solidaridad India visited Sri Estate visit November at Poysland estate for smallholders. Furer, e officials of Tea Shaki programme were met and visited Ingiriya and Akuressa tea estates. In August Mr Muulingam met Mr Wim Spieringhs, Field Coordinator Asia and Mr Dushy Perera of Eical Tea Partnership where a discussion was held about UTZ portal. Mr M. Safras, consultant of UTZ tea certification project, successfully completed SLSI training for UTZ certification. Lanka from July to August to make e initial discussion about future UTZ projects. During e visit, Mr. Saji and Mr Muulingam had several meetings wi Mr Dushy Perera of Eical Tea Partnership, visited Maturata plantations, and High Forest estate, and a meeting was held wi TSHDA and discussed e Keppetipola factory and SPECTICA monitoring pro gra m m e 14

24 Girl Ambassadors for Human Rights From e beginning of July e Girl Ambassadors for human rights project was initiated. Wi e coordination of Ministry of Education, Central Province, and e Provincial and Zonal Education Offices e project was launched. The project focused on e expansion of e perspectives on women's role in e social change and experiences wi genderbased discrimination. The project enables e participants to gain a better understanding of women's rights and e public roles women have played in e history. It creates a link between e communities in Sri Lanka, USA and Chile to develop a broader knowledge and understanding of one anoer's cultures. Chile & USA girl ambassadors visiting Tea Plantation Workers' Museum st Sri Lankan & Chile girl ambassadors greeting eachoer-1 exchange, Sri Lanka Twenty girl ambassadors and two teachers were selected among e applied students from e Saraswai Central College, Pussellawa. Prior to e implementation of e programme, Mr Muulingam attended Museums Connect Colloquium in September at Washington DC, during which e initial planning was made for e project. Selected students of e Sarasway College were taken to e Tea Plantation Museum and an interaction dialogue was held wi grass root women leaders. Students keenly interacted wi eir elderly community members who at once actively came forward to secure eir rights. Students furer used advocacy tools such as street eater to advocate eir community members, and also went to e field to collect cases and interview women leaders of e community. Students visited ISD and had eir first meeting wi Chile and USA girl ambassadors. It was held as an international call via skype and ey made each oer aware of country's women related issues. Thereafter, e girls began to communicate and share eir ideas using social networks such as facebook. st Chile & USA girl ambassadors addressing e public event at Sarasway Central College-1 exchange, Sri Lanka 15

25 st ISD successfully hosted e 1 international st exchange. On 4 December 1 public event was held at Sarasway Central College wi e participation of guests from Education departments (Zonal & Provincial), political and Civil society leaders representing e plantation community. SL, Chile & USA girl ambassadors were awarded wi participation certificates. The visit included a tour to e tea Plantation museum to understand e Sites' history. Girl ambassadors of Sri Lanka performed a drama for e women leaders, and eir Chile and USA counterparts appreciated eir talent. A discussion wi women st Public event at Sarasway Central College-1 exchange, Sri Lanka leaders was held in e museum premises where girls were able to know e hardships of tea plantation women and what actions ey should take against it. nd On 06 December, 2 a public event was held wi civil society & women leaders of trade unions, NGOs and CBOs at Hatton. The girls were able to see e problems of plantation women's and women in SL from a different angle. On e final day of e exchange programme an evaluation and recap session were held based on what e girls learnt during e exchange visit. ISD staff and Sri Lankan girl ambassadors exchanged souvenirs wi USA and Chile delegates and e programme ended wi warm farewell greetings. Through e experiences of skype call and e first exchange, e Sri Lankan students understood e similarity of e issues faced by e women in all countries, wheer developed or less developed. Enhancing e English Language skill of plantation girls to secure livelihood Under is project, a Functional English course was held from April 2012 onwards and e course was covered irty eight girls from Panwila estate, girls from adjoining villages and e newly appointed employees of e Panwila DS. Through e classes e girls were capacitated and it became helpful for eir career development. The teacher was able to assess e competency level of each student. Mr. G. H. M. A. Premasinghe, Divisional Secretary, Panwila awarding certificates At e beginning of e course, students regarded English as a boring, difficult subject/language. But wi practical lessons i.e. general discussions, storytelling activities, presentations & etc, e negative attitude of students began to change, as indicated by e continued good attendance of e students. Some students, whose speaking ability was very weak, improved to e extend expressing one or two sentences about simple topics. Many students willingly took part in class-based activities, and completed e assignments creatively. Students showed improvements in 16

26 eir English grammar as well. In e following step of e project, a residential workshop was held for e students on Career Development, existing labour legislation and ey were able to learn about employment related regulations and procedures practiced in Sri Lanka. On 06 September, e certificate awarding ceremony was held for e participants who successfully followed e Group picture programme. Mr. G. H. M. A. Premasinghe, Divisional Secretary, Panwila, Mr Gamini Ranayaka, Director -Planning, Mr. Gamini Kumaratane, SSO of Panwila and on behalf of Panwila Pradeshiya Sabha, its Cultural Officer were present on e occasion. Mr. S. Saiyanaden and Mr. M. S. Veeran participated as special guests on e occasion. The welcome speech, speech about course and its benefits and vote of anks were done by students in English. Mr. G. H. M. A. Premasinghe, Divisional Secretary, Panwila in his speech commended e project and said at such processes need to be continued. In addition to improving English language skills, ISD intends to promote harmony among Sinhala and Tamil girls in order to work collectively to overcome eir exploitation and build solidarity among em as a long term impact. The project also opened career pas for e participants, and e interested girls met Mr. Suranga Perera, Panwila DS's Science & Tech Center officer. As a result Ms. S. Niyakalyani successfully received six mon training at Panwila DS and e training was given by Science & Tech Center and NITA organization. Capacity building Based on BftW project, Outcome Impact Orientation workshop was held for Bread for e World Partner Organizations by Paltra Guarantee Limited. The most appropriate meod to conduct e project outcome impact training was discussed. As capacity building Mr Sayanaden and Ms Yogeshwari, representing ISD's field staff, participated in training in April In e discussion, BftW proposal was analyzed. The workshops mainly focused on baseline study, comparing benchmarks and project indicators. As a follow-up, ISD field staff revised e monitoring plan. 17

27 Network (a) CBO Federation In February and November 2012, interaction meetings were held to strengen e CBO Federation. The federation members discussed e activities ey could jointly perform as a pressure group. (b) Plantation Sector Social Forum (PSSF) PSSF is a local network promoted by ISD in order to serve for e betterment of e tea plantation community. Bo organizations have organized a number of campaigns, advocacy discussions and activities to safeguard e rights of e plantation community and to uplift e life of ose people. In 2012 PSSF, in collaboration wi ISD observed e 8 International Tea Day in Hatton. (c) Migrant Workers and social protection Mr. P Muulingam Director ISD & Ms. K. Yogeshwari General Secretary WWF at e Global Network C189 ratification rally Philippines activity plan was discussed. Furer, in November 2012, ISD Director attended NTUF Violence Against Women conference in Colombo. Jointly wi e Sri Lankan trade unions, ISD initiated a campaign to demand e Sri Lankan government to bring an Act to safeguard e rights of e domestic workers. From 2001, ISD has been working for e protection of migrant workers because a considerable proportion of migrant workers are hill country plantation women. ISD represented e Kafala workshop in Sri Lanka in which e Kafala system and oer legal challenges for Sri Lankan migrant workers in e GCC countries were discussed. ISD, is a member of 12 n 12 campaign launched in 2011 wi Global Network to bring ratification for C189 in Sri Lanka. Mr P. Muulingam and Ms. K. Yogeshwary attended a meeting held on 12 n 12 campaign in April, and e fut ure ISD participated in several round table discussions organized by Helvitas on migrant workers and eir issues. ISD also participated in two discussions on protection & promotion of e rights of Sri Lankan Mr. P Muulingam Director ISD & Ms. K. Yogeshwari General Secretary WWF at e Global Network C189 ratification workshop Philippines Migrant Workers in Qatar and on promotion of e Ratification of ILO C189 on Decent work for Domestic Workers. The workshops were organized by Migrant Forum in Asia and American Center for International Labor Solidarity, Colombo. 18

28 International Network (a) Decent work and social protection In March 2012, Mr Muulingam and Ms Yogehswary attended e training in Philippines on advocacy strategies for social protection and participatory budgeting in relation to decent work and social protection. The main objective was to pressurize e Sri Lankan government to ratify e C189 ratification because e plantation community represents a considerable percentage in bo migrant and domestic workers' sector. (b) Peace and Tolerance for good governance In September 2012 Mr S. Sayanaden attended 7 Peace and Tolerance regional workshop held at Shaninikean in India. At e same time, Ms. Kalani Ranasinghe participated in e 8 you camp on Peace and Tolerance in India. The regional workshop was based on governance and you and e events organized by International Coalition of Sites of Conscience of USA.. Library ISD maintains a library at its office premises for e benefit of its staff and oer interested parties. It has hundreds of books in English, Tamil and Sinhala relating to political, historical, economy, literature and development studies. 19

29 Tea Plantation Workers' Museum and Archive In 2007, ISD opened Tea Plantation Workers' Museum and Archive (which is first of its kind), in a century old line room (Plantation workers dwelling) at Old Peacock Estate, Paradeka, Gampola. When Sri Lanka attracts a record number of tourists wi e end of e war, ISD has launched a program to promote and publicize e museum, so at e local and international tourists as well as students can have an understanding of e Hill country Tea Plantation workers' culture and eir traditions. The museum has a unique collection of artifacts, cultural and ritual items, household goods and appliances used by e early migrant workers. The museum also has a photo gallery of e historical setting of e plantation industry going back to e beginning of coffee and tea era. In order to enlighten e public who visit e museum, e museum exhibits e folklore which was sung by e coffee period workers. It also takes e viewers far back into e era in which e plantation workers first set eir feet on e soil of is country. Picture gallery Tea Plantation Workers' Museum & Archive location 20

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34 Let us Work for Social Change Institute of Social Development No. 37, Bodhiyangana Mawaa, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Tel / Fax : kandyisd@sltnet.lk Website :