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Dutch Embassy and ILO convene a discussion on ‘Responsible Business Conduct in practice and the role of social dialogue’
Last week the Netherlands embassy in collaboration with Better Work Sri Lanka Programme, a joint initiative between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), concluded their series on responsible business conduct (RBC) focusing on the apparel sector.
This third session focused on the apparel sector and the importance of dialogue, bringing together a range of industry experts. The event, supported by the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF) saw the participation of high-level representatives who discussed and shared their experience of RBC in practice and the importance of social dialogue.
Social dialogue is critical to the apparel sector in Sri Lanka as it enables all stakeholders to come together and discuss matters related to the industry i.e., safety standards, working conditions, environment and labour standards. It can help to ensure that workers’ welfare is improved, and their rights are protected which in turn promotes stability, enhances productivity, and ensures that the industry operates in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.
Giving the opening remarks at the event the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Bonnie Horbach said: “Doing business responsibly whether at home or abroad, is something the Netherlands government finds extremely important. What drives this agenda is the sincere wish to do better and acting responsibly. The era of ‘take-make-dispose’ and ‘exponential growth without consequences’ has to be replaced. It’s time for a new era with a greater focus on quality and sustainability. We need to move towards understanding what the impact of a business is, throughout the entire supply chain – both environmental point as well as from a social one.”
Highlighting the importance of social dialogue, Indika Gamage – Group Manager Human Resources Development, Jay Jay Mills Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, spoke on his experience in promoting RBC within the apparel sector in Sri Lanka.
Speaking at the event on the Government of Sri Lanka’s role in embracing RBC, Thilaka Jayasundara, Secretary, Ministry of Industries said that “The Ministry of Industries is focusing on obtaining the International Accreditation Certification and is working with 21 sectors to encourage them to adhere to international standards, whilst also supporting them to obtain certifications. Additionally, since the apparel industry contributes a significant percentage to the export income of Sri Lanka compared to other sectors, we find that adapting to European regulations within this sector is especially important.”
Noting the importance of RBC for the future of Sri Lanka’s trade with the European Union, Lars Bredal, Deputy Head of Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives mentioned, “There are new legislations being drafted making it mandatory for European companies to certify that any product received has not in any way contributed to climate change or had a reverse impact on human rights. Sri Lanka has in many ways been ahead of the curve for issues such as child labour, yet Sri Lanka has room to improve in other areas, such as equal pay. It would be best to address these issues before the new legislation enters into force and by doing so secure better access to the European market”
The panel discussion also consisted of sector experts including Yohan Lawrence – Secretary General of the Joint Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka (JAAF); Mathavakala Mathavan – National Project Coordinator, Free Trade Zone & General Services Employees Union; and Chamila Thushari – General Secretary, Dabindu Collective. The discussion was moderated by Kesava Murali Kanapathy, Head of Better Work Sri Lanka programme.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
