02-06-2025
Factory workers hold head of company hostage after devastating pay reversal: 'The basic issue is not even bonus'
In early April, factory workers in Sri Lanka stepped away from their stations and protested after their employer in Weligama, Matara, backed out of paying their annual bonus.
It sparked more than just outrage. For many, it was the last straw in a long pattern of mistreatment tied to the fast-fashion industry's push for profit over people.
According to the Daily Mirror Online, garment workers protested by blocking the factory entrance and placing the company's head under a form of house arrest after the workers failed to receive their annual bonus.
The Mawrata News reported that management blamed the Trump administration's tariffs on Sri Lankan exports. On April 2, President Donald Trump had announced a 44% tariff on products from Sri Lanka.
(Editor's note: The tariff has since been delayed until July and temporarily reduced to 10%. It was then struck down by the Court of International Trade and, most recently, resumed at least temporarily through a federal court appeal. The uncertainty remains that Sri Lanka may face major new tariffs.)
However, workers viewed this as an excuse to deny their agreed-upon bonus and possibly more before the Sinhalese New Year. "The basic issue is not even bonus, but basic pay is paid for [a] lot of work," one commenter on the Daily Mirror Online article wrote.
This isn't just about one missed bonus check. It's part of a larger pattern in fast fashion — a business model built on low wages, long hours, and disposable clothing.
Fast-fashion brands intentionally design garments to wear out quickly, driving people to buy more and dumping billions of pounds of textile waste into landfills yearly. Synthetic fabrics can take decades to break down, creating lasting environmental harm.
All the while, fast-fashion companies make billions off the exploitative labor. Zion Market Research projects that the fast-fashion sector will be worth $179.5 billion in 2030.
The best way to fight back is by breaking the cycle and saying goodbye to fast fashion. Thrifting, swapping, buying less, and choosing durable items reduce waste while saving money. Every small shift can help build pressure for real change.
Speaking out can also help create change. In Sri Lanka, Deputy Minister of Labor Mahinda Jayasinghe told Parliament that an investigation is underway after the strike, per the Daily Mirror.
What should the government do about the fast fashion industry?
Set strict regulations
Incentivize sustainable options
Use both regulations and incentives
Nothing
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
