80% expected to have first dose by August, and entire workforce before year end

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) says a major progress has been made in its efforts to safeguard workers and revitalise the industry, with approximately 30% of workers having received their first dose of COVID vaccines, as at the end June 2021.

JAAF Secretary General Tuli Cooray says the apparel industry has been able to achieve such progress with the help of Minister Namal Rajapaksa.

“Prior to this most recent mobilisation, only 5% of our workforce had been able to receive their first dose, owing to difficulties in securing vaccine supplies. However, during the last few weeks, the authorities have been able to partially vaccinate approximately one third of the entire apparel workforce. This is a tremendous step towards protecting the health of our workers, and we are deeply grateful to the authorities for having provided solutions to the issues we had previously raised pertaining to worker safety. The number of workers vaccinated in the Free Trade Zones is higher, and the rollout is now cascading across the country.

“The government has issued protocols that manufacturing companies and other industries must follow to ensure an infection-free environment. We are committed to the safety and welfare of our workers on the shop floor and everywhere else,” added Cooray. “It’s also in our national interest, and that of the families of our employees to get back to business as safely and quickly as we can.”

At the end of June 2021, approximately 30 per cent of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry workers, out of a total of 300,000 in the sector – were vaccinated against Covid-19.

Domestically, the apparel sector provides direct employment to approximately 300,000 Sri Lankans.

“Continuing at the same pace, we expect more than half of the workforce to receive their first jab within the next two weeks, and approximately 80% by August. If all goes as planned, by December, we should have nearly our entire workforce vaccinated, and safely back to work. This is very positive news for workers, their families and the communities they have helped to build up, as well as the industry and national economy as a whole,”.