First LGTBIQ+ trade union in South Asia established

On 4 November, the first trade union especially for people who belong to the LGTBIQ+ community in Sri Lanka was established. The trade union is supported by the Mondiaal FNV-funded South Asian Gender Platform and by the local trade union NUSS.

Sri Lankan Tanya stands somewhat ill at ease before the lectern and looks around the room, where 25 people are watching her expectantly. Tanya’s story is distressing: “After being sacked 20 times, I decided that something had to change. It wasn’t my choice to change jobs 20 times, but I was so badly discriminated against because I’d made the decision to go through my life from then on as a member of the LGTBIQ+ community, that working became impossible.” 

The LGBTIQ+ community’s fight and problems in the workplace

Tanya joined the many LGTBIQ+ groups that there are in Sri Lanka, where she was able to share her story and her pain. All these groups fight for the rights of the members of the LGBTIQ+ community. But none of the groups link this with problems at work. Supported by the trade union NUSS and within the framework of the Mondiaal FNV-funded South Asian Gender Platform, 2 years ago she decided to organise her LGTBIQ+ companions and to establish a trade union especially for them.

Establishment of trade union a special moment

On  4 November 2022, international Mondiaal FNV colleagues Prabhu Rajendran, Wilma Roos and Annemieke van der Leij witnessed a very special moment. The official establishment of a trade union especially for transgenders in Sri Lanka, the first trade union for this group not only in Sri Lanka, but also in the whole of South Asia! The leaders were elected, and the first steps taken to choose a name, design a logo and complete the trade union registration forms. 

NUSS President Palitha Atukorale and coordinator Paba Deshapriya tell us that the process of getting to this point was by no means easy: “The LGTBIQ+ community is so used to hiding its identity and its ‘being’ that working with others in a trade union demands a lot from them” 

International labour organisation creates awareness

In 2019, the international labour organisation ILO adopted convention 190, on the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work. This convention has turned out to be an important instrument in the establishment of this trade union. The convention devotes explicit attention to the fact that all groups in society, including members of the LGTBIQ+ community, are confronted with violence and harassment in their places of work. Information exchange to do with the establishment of convention 190 in 2019 therefore led to a greater awareness of this specific issue. Tanya and her fellow trade union members also hope that in the context of the ratification process of convention 190, the government will be positive in their evaluation of the registration of their trade union. They regard the  global attention given to this issue as a great source of support.

More members -> greater trade union power -> equal rights at work

Once registered, the next challenge will be to recruit more members for a broader support base and greater trade union power. To ensure that the government not only ratifies convention 190, but also amends national legislation and reminds employers of their responsibility. And to ensure that Tanya will not have to change jobs again and that this initiative in Sri Lanka can serve as an example for the whole of South Asia. 

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