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Thousands of casual workers face job losses
Thousands recruited to the state sector by the last regime are facing termination with the advent of the new government.
Around 6,800 have lost their jobs at the state agencies that had employed them.
UNP, MP Range Bandara, who tabled a question in Parliament on Tuesday, said the action amounted to ‘political vengeance’ and called on the government to take immediate steps to re-absorb them.
On Wednesday, again the issue was taken up by the opposition leader, Mr Sajith Premadasa, who also described it as ‘political vengeance’.
He asked whether the government was trying to keep its promise of providing 100,000 jobs by driving out staff already working for the state.
They had been asked to stop working before the presidential election nominations were announced on the basis that they can return after the polls. But they have been debarred from entering the premises of their workplaces.
Most were casual workers on contract and were asked not to report to work, without notice.
Mr S. Samarajeewa, a service assistant on contract at the central province education ministry, said that he was dismissed verbally. On October 14 , 2019 the provincial secretary had read out a letter and informed 110 staff of the education sector to not report to work with immediate effect.
“However they are continuing to keep us off from work even after the elections. We got a letter from the Elections Commissioner addressed to the provincial secretary to say that they can be taken back to work, but to no avail,’’ he said.
It is learnt that the education ministry of the central province, has said that there has been no allocation made for extra recruitment and salaries cannot be paid by the province.
Ministry of Education, secretary, Mr N.H.M.Chitrananda, said letters have been sent to the provincial secretary to re-absorb them and that allocations will be made to the provinces for salaries.
Another 100 persons in the Health Ministry, 167 persons from the Petroleum Corporation , 1,200 in the Housing Ministry, 1,800 in the Archaeology Department, 1,600 Samurdhi officers, 80 trainees of the People’s Bank have been affected.
In addition, it is learnt that 1,500 Sri Lanka Transport Board workers who were promoted 18 months ago, have been demoted to their former ranks.