TUs to launch massive agitation against government
View(s):Sri Lankan trade unions have warned of a “mass agitation” campaign against the government’s refusal to address their concerns and make necessary amendments to the budget proposals as promised.In a December 28 letter addressed to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, trade unions said that they would be compelled to resort to trade unions action and start an awareness campaign among its members and thereafter launch a mass agitation campaign.They have pointed out that this could impede the government’s successful re-application for the European Union Generalised System of Preference (GSP) plus in January 2016 as their cooperation “is vital in regaining EU GSP +.”
The letter was signed by the Ceylon Federation of Trade Unions, FTZs and General Services Employees Union, Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya, Inter Company Employees Union, Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union, United Federation of Labour, Ceylon Estate Staffs Union, Joint Plantation Trade Union Centre, Ceylon Federation of Labour, and the National Union of Seafarers of Sri Lanka.Trade unions have highlighted their protest and distrust in dishonouring the promises made to them at the December 14 meeting on the five key issues of effecting amendments to: The merger of EPF and ETF and shift management away from the Central Bank; 5-day week for private sector with extended working hours; extending six months working period to one year for permanency; and handing over management of Export Processing Zones to private companies.
The letter noted that the “government has heeded only calls and requests made by employers and other interested parties as was seen by all tax and levy changes made to the budget after it was presented to Parliament.”In addition the “distorted proposal” on the salary increase of Rs.2,500 for private sector workers does not state that it would be effected from May 2015 as promised.The letter pointed out that “It is beyond our understanding how a government that pledges to rule by law distorts and disregards the Cabinet proposal adopted to make the salary increase of Rs.2,500 to the private sector mandatory through a special bill and approved later with amendments at the National Labour Advisory Council and thereafter cleared by the AG’s department as well.”It said the government has also resorted to adopting amendments demanded by the private sector employers through Development Strategies and International Trade Minister Malik Samarawickrama that included the removal of the interpretation of the meaning of “wage or salary increase” not to include earned “annual increments.”