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Wide array of state worker grievances continues to simmer
View(s):By Ishu Bandara
A number of state worker protests, involving thousands of dairy farmers, teachers and principals, university staff, health workers, admin officers, Grama Niladharis, targeting a range of demands including solutions to salary anomalies and higher allowances, were held last week. Some unions have continued to press their long-standing, unmet demands for months.
But, President Wickremesinghe insists that the government does not have funds for pay increases this year. He told parliament in May that, “Despite receiving numerous requests for salary revisions, there is currently no government revenue growth allocated to address this in 2024.’’
The Finance Ministry reported recently that total government revenue increased by 48.3% or Rs. 396.7 billion to Rs. 1.21 trillion in the first four months.
A spate of protests: From Left, Postal Department workers, Union of Administration Officers and University non academic staff
By end April, the Finance Ministry has also reported a positive cash balance of Rs 542.3 billion.
This week, some government officials reported to work wearing black armbands and they announced a protest week from July 1, demanding that Rs 25,000 given to government executive officers be also given to all government and provincial officers as well.
A protest was held by the state bank workers last week over the revision to the state bank collective Agreement and they demanded that a sufficient salary be paid to ease the tax burden.
The multiple protests led by All Ceylon Health Trade Union Alliance demanded a five day work week for hospital workers, a standard system for promotions and transfers and transport allowance. Additionally, the Government Ayurvedic Medical Officers are demanding medical allowances as part of their protest last week.
Union of Administration Officers took part in a protest march from Independence Square to the Ministry of Public Administration demanding the removal of salary disparities and executive power.
The work-to-rule action by Grama Niladharis, from June 26 continues. They are demanding that a service constitution be established, along with higher allowances and salaries.
The government surveyors have completed 25 days of protests and they are focusing on the lack of response from the government to their problems. And the principal and teachers’ union demanded solutions to the salary anomalies.
A scheduled protest of the Customs Trade Union on July 4 and 5 against amendments to the Customs Ordinance was called off on July 4, after talks with State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, but the University Non-academic Staff Union protest reached 67 days without a resolution to their demand of a 12% salary increase for the year.
Another protest was staged opposite the Fort Railway Station on July 3, demanding that the sale of National Livestock Development Board’s 31 farms and more than 28,000 acres to India’s Amul, be halted. It was jointly organised by dairy farmers, Board of directors of Milco, Milk Trading Union Leaders and All Ceylon agrarian Federation.
The increasing tensions underscore growing discontent among government employees.
On July 1, the University Non-academic Union held a discussion with the Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha, and the Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. Raghavan. Both ministers expressed their concerns about the current controversial situation within the university structure. They paid special attention to the union’s demands for monthly allowances, introduced in 2015 and promised to be granted in 2017.
At the meeting, the minister confirmed that a considerable solution would be provided after discussion with the Finance Ministry within two days from July 1.
Dhammika S. Priyantha, the spokesman for the Non-Academic Union of Universities, told the Sunday Times that the scheduled discussion with the Education Department and the Finance Ministry did not take place. So, the deadline promised by the minister for resolving the issues passed.
Mr Priyantha also mentioned that actions by the Federation of University Teachers’ Association (FUTA) against their demands have had a direct influence on the government’s decision.
“FUTA has sent its objection letter to the Ministry of Education against the increase in non-academic salaries, and since they are just one more union, it is unnecessary for them to interfere, ” said Mr Priyantha.
FUTA spokesman and secretary, senior lecturer Charudaththa Ilangasinghe rejected these claims.
He told the Sunday Times: “As FUTA, we do not oppose the salary increment for non-academic trade unions. Our primary concern is the linkage between the MCA (monthly compensation allowance) and the academic allowance. Additionally, we are firmly against the use of earned funds for salary or allowance payment for both academic and and non-academic staff.
Clause 5, in the letter that FUTA has sent to Education Minister Susil Premajayantha under the title, “Non-Academic Staff Grievance,” states: “We acknowledge the grievances of non-academic staff members regarding their salaries. FUTA believes that these employees deserve salary adjustments that are in line with those provided to equivalent positions in other government services.”
“There has been a misinterpretation by the non-academic spokesman of clause 5, in our letter sent to the Education Minister on July 2, suggesting that FUTA wants university non-academic staff to keep within the salary margins of other government employees. This is incorrect.
“Our intention was to highlight that in 2016, other government employees received a 107% salary increment, which was not extended to either academic or non-academic university staff,” said Mr Ilangasinghe of FUTA. “We are advocating for the government to ensure that this 107% increment is applied equitably to university staff, in line with the adjustments given to other government employees.’’
Chairman of the committee former Dr Udaya R Seneviratne told the Sunday Times:
“The mandate of the committee appointed by President Ranil Wickremesighe to look into all salary anomalies is to prepare a scientific basis for salary structures to be implemented next year.’’
A committee of 15 was named headed by Dr Seneviratne, former presidential secretary. Their work began June 24.
“We understand non-academic university staff grievances, but our mandate is to prepare a scientific basis for salary structures to be implemented in the budget next year. At the moment, we can’t offer a solution to their salary issue,” said Dr Seneviratne.
The committee has urged all sectors to return to work, promising an attractive salary package for government servants.
State Minister Raghawan has previously told The Sunday Times that the committee is prioritising the issues of non-academic university staff. “However, any solutions will only be effective from January 2025 onwards,” Dr. Ragawan reiterated to The Sunday Times.
He said universities have been closed for nine months in the coronavirus disease pandemic.
But, there is uncertainty over resolving the university non-academic staff strike. The outcome depends on decisions of the UGC, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance.
However, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance should work together to solve pressing problems such as university non-academic staff allowances. The 67-day protest has severely disrupted the education of about 250,000 students.
| Legal moves to stem school strikes President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this week: ”No one should directly or indirectly disrupt education, it is essential to ensure that children’s education is not hindered by closures or strikes.” The Attorney General’s advice is being sought, he said.
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