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FUTA threatens union action if Govt. fails to implement 2012 proposals
The Federation of University Teachers Association has threatened to resume its trade union action as the Government has failed to implement the proposals agreed to in 2012.
In a letter addressed to Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr. S. J. Nawaratne, FUTA has demanded that using political influence in university matters and suppressing students be immediately stopped while rectifying the salary anomalies of academics as promised in the 2012 agreement.
FUTA will stage a token strike on June 3, and if its demands are not met the association is considering returning to continuous trade union action.
“Vice Chancellor appointments of almost all the universities are political. Now no one qualified to apply for a post will even apply as he will not be selected,” said Prof. Rohan Fernando, General Secretary of FUTA.
He said the Government still has not appointed the special commission to investigate matters regarding State universities. The proposed commission was one outcome of the discussions FUTA held with Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake and Minister Basil Rajapaksa before the trade union action was called off in 2012.
In the wake of the arrest of 17 student activists on Friday night, Prof. Fernando also highlighted the continuing suppression of student unions that has caused grave concern among academics.
In the letter FUTA states “During the past couple of years or so, the suppression of student councils and student activists has been taking place at an unprecedented level in almost all State universities. This is happening while the well-being and rights of students are being completely ignored by the authorities.”
According to Prof. Fernando student unions of a number of State universities including Sri Jayawardhanapura, Rajarata, Sabaragamuwa and the Open University have been suspended by the authorities. Attempts by the Sunday Times to contact Dr. Nawaratne failed.