Unions go ahead with May 1 rallies, ignoring official May 7 change in date

Sri Lankan trade unions are to ignore a Government decision to change May Day, saying they will go ahead with May 1 rallies and processions – bracing for a possible confrontation on the streets with the authorities.

The Government has declared May 7 as the May Day holiday instead of May 1 Tuesday, which is the traditional International Workers Day, since the normal date clashes with the Vesak celebrations.

However an umbrella group of trade unions on Thursday said in a public statement: “… we as trade unions will proceed to hold our joint May Day rally as usual on May 1 whatever hurdles there could be. We therefore call upon all organisations, groups and individuals who stand for human, democratic and worker rights to join hands with us, this May Day.” 

The group comprised 14 unions - Ceylon Bank Employees Union, Ceylon Mercantile Industrial & General Workers Union, Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union, Ceylon Estate Staff Union, Union of Postal and Telecommunication Officers, United Federation of Labour, Ceylon Teachers Union, Insurance Employees Union, Women Workers Solidarity Union,   Commercial & Industrial Workers Union, All Employees Union of Information Telecommunication, Telecommunication Engineering Diplomat's Association, Federation of Media Employee Trade Union and Government United Federation of Labour. 
We strongly protest the decision of this “good governance” unity government that has not only postponed the international workers’ day on May 01st that in Sri Lanka is a workers’ right to celebrate, but also its attempts at disrupting any workers’ celebrations on May Day.