Lanka Leather

Lanka Leather

Workers at Lanka Leather Fashion, a German-owned garment manufacturer based in Sri Lanka, have been fighting for their right to organise since December 2020.

Lanka Leather, one of Asia’s leading manufacturers of leather garments, whose clients include Hugo Boss and Michael Kors, has continuously refused to recognise and engage with the Free Trade Zone & General Services Employees’ Union (FTZ-GSEU).

Among the demands that garment workers are seeking through the union is a free meal during working hours, something that they’re entitled to by law. Workers also report being pressured to meet unrealistically high production targets, as well as having insufficient bathroom breaks.

That unions exist in Sri Lanka is more critical than ever. An economic crisis has been ravaging the country, forcing workers into hunger and destitution. At the same time, and in the name of that crisis, the government is bulldozing changes to the labour law which would further threaten the situation for garment workers, making them more dependent on their employers. 

To this day, management at Lanka Leather has failed to recognise the union and discuss the legitimate demands of its members. What’s more, a number of workers associated with the union – including the organiser, treasurer, and president - have been dismissed from the factory in what seems to be another attempt at obstruction and intimidation.

In July 2021, after months of attempting to resolve the issue with management, the workers turned to major Lanka Leather customer Hugo Boss. What is happening at Lanka Leather is a clear violation of labour rights. Yet, as of today, Hugo Boss has failed to take any meaningful action, despite claiming that allegations of union-busting are taken “very seriously”, and whilst priding itself for empowering women in the workforce. Instead, Hugo Boss continues to rely on inadequate inspections and training to argue that it has acted responsibly with Lanka Leather.

Hugo Boss has a duty to ensure that its suppliers, including Lanka Leather, respect the labour rights of the very workers who are producing their garments. As a key customer, the company is also in a powerful position to make a real difference at Lanka Leather.

We know that Michael Kors also continues to do business with Lanka Leather, at least as recently as December 2023, despite issues at the factory having been reported in various media reports and releases by independent NGOs, which mentioned Michael Kors being a buyer. They too should use their leverage to make sure its supplier respects workers' rights.