Employees hold garment head hostage over bonus issue

A tense situation was reported at a garment factory in Weligama, Matara, last night when a group of employees protested by placing the company’s head under house arrest over the denial of their annual bonus allowance.

 

The factory management had informed employees that the bonus would not be granted due to tariffs imposed by the US government on Sri Lanka.

 

In response, employees began protesting outside the factory gates that morning, and discussions with management ended in a heated exchange.

 

With no resolution reached, the employees took further action by placing the head of the company under house arrest and locking the entrance to the factory, effectively blocking it.

 

The protesters have vowed to remain at the site until the annual bonus is granted.

 

The Weligama police have been informed of the situation and deployed special security to the location. However, the protest continued through the night, with the employees still blocking the factory’s entrance yersterday morning.