NSB outsourced workers excluded in plan to make temporary workers permanent
The Budget of 2015 of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in fact appeared to be a ‘Santa Claus’ for the whole country, specially the poor and the working class. But purposely or otherwise, there appears to be omissions here and there.
A policewoman walks past NSB protesters. Pic by Anuradha Bandara
While the government through the Budget has taken action to make permanent casual workers, outsourced workers have been left out.
Around 750 such outsourced workers employed at the National Savings Bank (NSB) launched a protest campaign in front of the NSB Head Office, Kollupitiya on Tuesday demanding they be absorbed to the services of NSB and to adjust their emoluments that were offered to other workers according to the 2015 Budget proposals.
Outsourcing (workers supplied to companies by labour contractors at a fixed rate with no benefits as enjoyed by permanent staff) is becoming a popular option in both the government and private sectors.
While a large police force pitched on the other side of the road to tackle eventualities, the leader of these protesting workers, A.A.S. Sampath told the Business Times (BT) that the outsourced workers have been sidelined by the authorities. Compared to other similar workers and the concessions offered to them, these NSB outsourced workers have been unjustly treated.
He said that this group was first recruited in 1991 as part of the NSB employees, but in 2002 without their consent they were moved to outsourcing companies. He pointed out that while similar workers employed elsewhere who were made permanent would draw a monthly salary of Rs. 43,000, their average emolument now stands at around Rs.12,020 per month.
He said that they intend to continue the protest until they receive a satisfactory solution to their grievances and said they suspect that these outsourcing companies would be bribing some officials of NSB.
He said that they have information that for each of these workers NSB pays Rs.17,000 and out of that they are paid only Rs.12,020.
He said that they have represented matters to the authorities very often to no avail. He said that NSB outsourced workers in all the branches are participating in the protest.
Among the protesters, BT met Goldrin Perera who first joined the Marawila branch in 1991. He is married and having two children studying in the 4th year and first year. He says they are having a very difficult life and he could not even offer a cup of milk to their children with the meagre emolument he receives – Rs. 12,020.
Mr. Sampath said that there are a large number of such workers like Goldrin Perera among these outsourced workers who continue since 1991.
The NSB chairperson was not available for comment though this newspaper called her office many times.