Milco strike to be settled through government mediation
View(s):Sri Lanka’s state- owned Milco Company is taking measures to bring the milk production affected by the workers strike to normalcy through discussions between trade unions and officials with the mediation of Labour Ministry, a top official of the company said.
Milco chairman Sunil Wickramasinghe said that the strike is being settled following discussions with trade union representatives and company officials with the mediation of Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge.
Mr. Wickramasinghe noted that a cost of living (COL) allowance of Rs. 35,000 and bonus of Rs. 18,000 had already been paid and 32 casual workers confirmed.
He said that a section of workers has already reported for duty and police protection will be given to those who wanted to return to work.
Employees of the Milco (Pvt) Ltd. factory in Narahenpita, have been on strike since last Friday (20), the second during this month.
A shortage of milk powder is being reported in the local market and the consumers say that they are severely affected during the festive season as no milk powder packets available for them during this period.
Retail traders said that there was no adequate supplies from wholesalers.
The strike at the state-owned Milco Company has affected the supplies of locally produced Highland brand.
Mr. Wickramasinghe pointed out that workers at Polonnaruwa and Ambewela factories are working, while the factory at Digana had begun operations .
He said that the strike was a failure as most of the workers of these factories have reported for duty.
He said that he suspects powerful multi national organizations could be behind strikes, which have contributed to a major shortage of milk powder in Sri Lanka.
He added that the Narahenpita Factory was to be shifted to Badalgama and all details regarding this matter had been forwarded to the Treasury.