In 2018, an estimated 5% of the Sri Lankan population worked within the tea industry, an industry deeply shaped by its British colonial heritage, from its architecture to its workforce. It is the biggest export, yet one increasingly threatened by new regulatory and political changes. Similarly, Sri Lanka’s apparel industry which is its third largest export, is likewise threatened by global geopolitics. In both cases, these changing pressures on these industries leave women particularly vulnerable to hardships. New research by NUSC PhD candidate, Chamodi Dombepola, unpicks disparities in the role of power, business ethics, and CSR efforts in the tea and apparel industries of Sri Lanka. Chamodi elaborates:
My research aims to examine the disparities in power between senior management and employees through business ethics and CSR efforts within the tea and apparel supply chains in Sri Lanka. This will illustrate how the
influence of global buyers, compliance requirements and certifications as well as ethical sourcing narratives impacts local practices and worker conditions. The study will investigate the lasting effects of historical labour practices and colonial systems and culture on the present situation in these sectors.
Chamodi Dombepola provides for us an inspirational tale of purpose and drive. Moving from Sri Lanka to pursue her studies in the UK, completing her undergraduate with the University of Greenwich and Masters at City University of London, Chamodi’s work coalesces around meaningful impact. In her bachelor’s degree, her dissertation focused on labour exploitation in Sri Lanka’s tea industry, and for her masters, she explored gender in the context of microfinancing in South Asia, and after this she worked at a national charity called Volunteering Matters. Now, she’s back at Greenwich to pursue her PhD, as she explains:
It’s quite clear that I’ve always wanted my research to sit close to home and shed some light on topics that are quite important. I’ve decided to continue this with my PhD where I’m focusing on ethical sourcing and the impact of colonialism and culture on Sri Lanka’s tea and apparel sectors.
Chamodi is dedicated to conducted research with a real impact- both on the employees on the sectors she examines but also on her own development, through meaningful conversations throughout the process. Whilst in the early stages of her PhD, Chamodi – through presenting her initial work at an internal conference – develops and refines the theoretical grounding to her work. Chamodi uses mixed methods, interviewing senior stakeholders and external bodies as well as the workers themselves on issues including wages, conditions and opportunities. She shares with us some preliminary findings:
Corporate Social Responsibility in Sri Lanka seems to focus on quantifiable metrics rather than facilitating rights such as the freedom of association or to engage in collective bargaining. In practice, trade unions and civil
organisations have been the cornerstone behind wage increments and improved working conditions. The extent of influence from factory management and stakeholders to respond and represent workers needs is unknown. Both industries are also heavily reliant on foreign investment from companies established in Global North countries. This reliance fosters an imbalanced power dynamic where these retailers maintain authority over sourcing choices and pricing while the risks of production and labour obligations are shifted to suppliers in the Global South. Sri Lanka needs to develop a more structured strategy to enhance industry performance.
This difficult and important work will be challenging, but Chamodi is able to lean on her PhD community, as she highlighted “I’ve been able to be in the same room and connect with people who have turned their passions into research areas and have been able to have some really interesting and educational conversations. It’s being able to network and meet people who I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for this journey I took. Having a supportive community has
really made all the difference about doing a PhD”. Alongside this support network, Chamodi advocates for creating a balanced schedule which includes work and pleasure outside of the PhD – socialising, part-time work, gym, relaxing, watching movies… these are all integral parts to success in doctoral study. Chamodi is supervised by Jane Lethbridge and NUSC experts, Francisca Da Gama and Kim Biu.
If you are interested in pursuing a PhD, take a look at the NUSC homepage to connect with experts that may support you: NUSC | University of Greenwich
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