Workers Start

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Placard Sri Lanka

198/19, Panchikawatta Rd, Colombo 10, Sri lanka. Tele. - +94-112595566, +94-115358782 Fax - +94-115358783 Web - www.unions.lk email - [email protected] [email protected]

Volume 04

Issue - 01

Workers start

Sep/Oct 2009

Trade Union Action

The working Class of Sri Lanka has been made silent by the war during the last year, but after the victory of the war, they started their struggle. The militarily defeat of the LTTE was a great victory for Sri Lankans and so the working class also supported the government. But the government failed to solve the war related problems of Sri Lanka and is trying to give a solution through devolution of power.

The government has also forgotten the rights of the working class after the victory. Three months ago, they finished the war but the problems of the country have sky rocketed during that time. During the war, the government said that they wasted billions & billions of rupees on the war and insisted that the working people should not demand salary increases or any other benefits during that period. After the war, within

three months the government cut the Cost of living allowance of the public servants promised by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the 2006 Budget. The President promised the public servants a sum of Rs.2.50 for each increasing point of cost of living index. Because the cost of living index rose very high that allowance was brought down Rs 375/= per month . The All Ceylon

Trade Union Federation expressed its dissatisfaction to the government and sent a communiqué to the President . There are number of problems faced by the employees of the Railway Department, Health Department, Sri Lanka Transport Board, Ceylon Electricity Board, etc. They have already resorted to trade union action. The Ceylon Electricity Board Union alliance called

one day strike on 28th J u ly ag ain s t th e government. According to the global economic crisis, the private sector has also collapsed and more than hundred companies have been closed and pushed 80,000 workers out from their jobs. The Inter Company Employees Union has formed a new organization called the National Centre for the Page 6

Raising Voices for the Rights...

CEB STRIKE

THE LAND SINKS IN BLUE The token strike which was called by the Joint Trade Union Federation of the Ceylon Electricity Board demanding salary increments. The 90% of the employees of CEB took part in trade union action. The Power failures are reported from the various parts of the island. A spokesman

said that , as a result of the strike , several electricity failures were reported from Badulla, Moneragala, Kaulthara and Ambalangoda areas. The action taken by the government to disrupt the strike by canceling leaves of all electricity board employees.

The demonstration conducted by CEB employees demanding their salary increment, to do away the proposed Bill of CEB privatization etc... in front of the Head office of Ceylon Electricity Board, in Colombo

A joint publication of All Ceylon Trade Union Federation, Inter Company Employees Union and All Ceylon Estate Workers' Union

02

Sep/Oct 2009

Unilever Sri Lanka branch begins Suppression

The Inter Company Employees' Union states that the Unilever Sri Lanka branch has terminated 79 employees with effect from 10th of Aug. 2009. Because of slashing of employees

rights for a long period, Unilever employees have joined with the Inter Company Employees Union. As revenge for this, the company has terminated the employees. The Inter Company Employees Union has informed to the board of management of Unilever Sri Lanka branch stating that taking a membership of a trade union is a fundamental right as

mentioned in basic law of the country and to make possible arrangements to reinstate the employees by ensuring their rights. The Convener from Inter Company Employees Union stated that the complained had been made by, to The Commissioner General of Labour to take appropriate legal action against such suppression.

Doctors voice against Private Medical Colleges A seminar on “Lets get together against , free education right obliterating, free health service jeopardizing, private medical colleges” organized by All Ceylon Government Medical Officers Association, was held on 3rd of August at public library auditorium, Colombo. The Lectures were delivered by Professor H.Sriyananda,

specialist medical officer Dr. Deshapriya Dias, president of All Ceylon Government Medical Officers Association Dr.Gishantha Dassanayake, and Medical Students Action Committee member Mr. Nilan Fernando. The intellectuals of various organizations and sectors had participated to the event.

BOARD OF INVESTMENT OF SRI LANKA, WORKERS ON PROTEST The Workers of BOI staged a protest campaign at Fort Lake House roundabout on 15th against neglecting the workers demands, promotions & annual increments, handing over the BOI functions to The Department of Customs. Around 2000 companies approved under BOI have been engaging in Import Export trade activities. And BOI has been directly handling these functions up to now. But the government has already made arrangements to withdraw these functions from BOI and handed them over to the department of Customs. In addition to neglecting worker demands, there is also an attempt made by the management to demote workers from their present grades.

News Page Port Worker On Protest Demanding For…… The All Ceylon Port Workers Union staged a protest in front of “Khan Clock tower” in Fort Colombo, demanding for an immediate payment of agreed salary increment. According to the collective agreement signed by the trade unions and the management, the salary increments were due in January 2009. However agreed salary increments were not paid to the workers up to now. The union said that there had no response from the relevant Minister to any of the letters sent by them. On the other hand the discussion too with Minister

regarding the salary increments was a flop. The Secretary of The All Ceylon Port Workers Union Comrade Chandrasiri Mahagamage said that in addition to the difficulties faced by the workers in day to day living due to cancelling overtime works, there is also an imminent danger of loosing their houses and lands purchased with hard earned money and loans, being acquired by the banks. Comrade Chandarasiri Mahagamage further revealed that the management doesn't have any interest to regenerate the income lost by the port or to increase salaries and allow workers to do

No Salary Increments To Bank Employees It is reported that the Collective Agreement for state bank employees are already delayed by six months. The Collective Agreement for 2006/2008 expired on last December. The State Bank employees have been facing tremendous difficulties due to the delay in signing the agreement. Although the discussions regarding the collective agreement were held in three times, no much more attention being paid on salary increment. During the last 2 months discussions have come to a standstill. Salary increments for the State Bank employees are carried out once in every three years. The Employees of State Banks express their displeasure for depriving them and delaying of salary increments even after three years.

03

Sep/Oct 2009

PP

lacard Sri Lanka

198/19, Panchikawatta Rd, Colombo 10, Sri lanka. Tele. +94-112595566, +94-115358782 Fax - +94-115358783 Web - www.unions.lk email - [email protected] [email protected]

Separatism…. Rally Against The Country situation is worst. The economic condition has been wrecked by the global economic crisis. The social atmosphere has been over polluted. The peace and social order have n't been ensured and gauranteed. “The Right to life” once again has been challenged by, the civilians were tortured and killed in the custudy of police. The democracy is a mere word and the law and order has vanished from the land. The whims and fancies of the rulers have been secured for by the politicians. Such a land we are being… The terrorism had been defeated. But alone with the terrorism the “separatism” or “Localization” hasn't been defeated. It is being intentionally assisted and promoted by the government with the help of international beaugeois movement. The separatism has been vehimently condemned by the general public in various occasions casting their votes. The Trade union movement and progressive people of the country make their gatherings against the situation. The all Sri Lankans, Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims want to live hand in hand, not to separate making barbed wire or wall boundaries. The Trade Union Movement is leading the mass to defeat collectively, and to restore the peace and order in the land for all.

To Defeat The Separatism... The LTTE which waged war for a separate state has already been defeated. LTTE is a terrorist organization that fought for a separate state, but the leaders of the Mensheviks in the south and certain foreigners named it as a liberation movement. It was only the late Mr. Rohana Wijeweera, the late leader of the JVP, pointed out correctly that it was an organization that acts placing the racisim and separatism in one line. The book “What is the solution for the Tamil Ealam” written by Mr. Rohana Wijeweera clarifies that well and many other reasons no one could breake the argument put forward by the JVP. As the movement to separate Sri Lanka is linked with the west (Yankee) imperialism.

on 9th septhember 1973 Mr. Amirthalingam requested the Tamil youth in public to rise to win the Tamil Ealam. The provoking incidents were done by the youth of the Tamil United Front since 1972. It was from the point, that the Tamil United Front as the mass section of the Ealam movement and the Tigers as its armed section came in to effect. There is a clear definition for a national liberation movement in Marxism. Maxims is against the Localization, racism and dividing people into ethnic groups. And it is against the demands for separate states for separate ethnic groups, by dividing unitary states.

The right to self determination or self autonomy or under Tamil United Front whatever banner it stages, the Marxism (this become this is totally against the Tamil United divisionalization of a Liberation Front unitary state and later) was built in 1972. The leader of it form states on the basis of ethnic was Mr. differences. LTTE is Amirthalingam, at an organization the annual which comprised of Convention of the Federal party (Tamil all those evils. It Arasu Kachchi) held made grudges among

the Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil people. They did every this thy could do to win the Ealam by lighting the fire of racism against each other. Their activities paved the way for racist leaders of the Sinhala and Muslim ethnic groups, to kindle the fire of racism in order to reach their goals. The LTTE massacred Sinhala and Muslim people in whole villages. Infants were slaughtered by hitting against the rocks. Even the pregnant mothers were also brutally murdered. They murdered the clergy also. How can such a movement be called a liberation movement? When the Tamil United Front weakend in the parliament later, the LTTE sent their representatives under the name “Tamil National Organization" They rasied their voice in the parliament for the Ealam. They rose the voice of the separatism in the parliament, but they did not bring the suppressed people's voice into it. Truly what we should do today is to start a national Page 7

04-05

Sep/Oct 2009

decided to he global employees institutions. undertake the financial situation alone with their The duty and the management of, has been melting family members responsibility of some of those down constantly. have come on to the supervisory institutions under The most of the the streets, body of central the management countries' Conducting bank haven't of Bank of Ceylon economies have demonstrations been made and People's been affected and protesting properly. The Bank of Sri badly. Only very campaign against most of them are Lanka. The nail few countries the government. privet sector on the heads of could remain They charge on institution. The unaffecting. Due the supervisory bank of Ceylinco to the crisis, body Savings, The Some of countries (committee) of Bank of Seylan including Sri central bank of Merchant, The Lanka economies Sri Lanka and on Bank of Seylan, have been pushed the government The Finance Plc back in that not making and Asian considerable level. supervisory role Finance Plc etc… over the are some them, As a Society accounts of those and the the Sri Lanka's financial government Social

programmes had been started. The mineral sand range at Kirinda was privatized. The marine Oil service Ltd which provided oil to the ships of foreign and local was privatized. Some

very lower income. On the other hand the government is seeking for IMF loan to run the country. The state debt has gone sky rocketing. At the end of the year o the last year. The

2009 according to the sources of central bank of Sri Lanka the estimated state debt amount is Rs.402078 Billions. In comparing to the last year. The e

SRI LANKA

increasing percentage in one year is by 16%, in the 1st quarter of 2009 the estimated income couldn't be reached. Hence the state debt once again has gone up by

state income is 11%. Above all figures are extracted from the source of central bank reports. On the other hand the industrial productions have

The workers of both public and private sector are struggling for their rights most specially seeking for annual Salary increments. The gone down. various type of Rs. 69 billions. According to the trade union On the other department of actions have been hand in the census and implementing for. month of March statistics in 1st The students are 2009 the quarter of year taking action treasury bills 2009; 96000 against the amounting Rs. industrial government. The 43.1 billions have workers have informal sector been issued to been terminated. workers are also the market. The But they weren't rallying around private sector compensated against the banks and public yet. There are lot government sector banks of Sri Lankans policies. The aren't in a who were abroad farmers are going position to returned home to leave the fields release a loan to with empty hand. and comes on to gavernment. So From UAE with in the streets that the 6th month 2009 demanding to governments' about 36000 reduce the prices strategy is employees came of subsidiaries impose the taxes back because of and the prices of on. The 89% of the economic essential goods. the state income crisis in the The National now is depending world. Also there Trade Union on the taxation. are Thousands of Centre (NTUC) is The Sri Lankans seeking to handle government's returned home them all in non taxational constructive way. state income is

IN THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL MELT

environment is shrinking financially, Politically, morally etc.. in unbelievable stand. Some of financial institutions have been closedown. The government had to take appropriate measures to prevent the close but failed ultimately. More than 40000 employees of said financial institutions have been laid-off from their employments. Nothing any doll has been approved or granted by the government or other relevant authorities. Those

Hence the economy is gradually wrecking. The budget deficit for year 2009 is Rs.795.615 million (Sri Lankan Rupees). so that the privatization programmes had been started. The Mineral Sand Range at Kirinda has been privatized. The marine Oil service Ltd which provided oil to the ships of foreign and local was privatized. Some major Hotels belonged to the Hotel Cooperation were privatized at the very low rate.

the customers, depositors and employees of those institutions. It is the unexpected social issue and remain unresolved.

major Hotels belonged to the Hotel Cooperation were privatized at the very low rate. The 670 sqkm of coastal belt of eastern province including the natural harbor of The Sri Lankan Trincomalee had government is been reserved for also in trouble. Indian economic No financial zone. The 2000 assistance and arces of Sampoor foreign aid had division have crept in to the been sold to build economy. Hence a private power the economy is (electricity) plant gradually and finally the wrecking. The legislation are budget deficit being done to for year 2009 is privatized the Rs.795.615 Ceylon electricity million (Sri Board Currently. Lankan Rupees). Through those all so that the means the privatization the government had other hand in the very lower

from Europe countries due to. The government has no proper action plan to welfare them or compensate. As well as there are morethan 300,000 people in the IDP camps due to prevailed war situation in the Northern part of the country.

06

Sep/Oct 2009

EXTEND SUPPORT TO BTUC

The 8th annual convention of Bangladesh Trade Union Centre (BTUC) th th was held on 9 and 10 July 2009. Also The All Ceylon Trade Union Federation

(ACTUF) was invited to represent for the event. Comrade Mahinda Jayasinghe the coordinator of All Ceylon Trade Union Federation and the

General Secretary of Ceylon Teachers Service Union represented as delegator extending the international solidarity and support for. The delegators of Nepal Trade Union Movement, and Indian Trade Unions also represented the convention. Com. Mahinada Jayasinghe said that the ACTUF had the great opportunity to exchange the views of each other of delegators and to

IMF in Action In Dept of Post The union says that the government has decided to close down the public counters on Saturdays. When the union questioned at a meeting held with the post master general, he has told that the decision has been taken by the government and not by him. Comrade Rohana Fernando The secretary

of Lanka Postal Service Union told us that normally the post offices were kept open for six days a week. With the government new decision the people wouldn't be able to have the postal department's service on Saturday. Further he said that the conditions imposed by the IMF granting the loan are

n o w b e i n g implemented. But the p r o c e s s o f implementing the conditions is closure of public counters, curtailing the employees rights, down seizing the public properties belonged to the department. This is the very critical situation. We have called upon the all Trade Unions in the trade to common platform, and to take join Trade Union actions to over come the issue.

build international relationships. Also the discussions had been made by him with leftist political parties such as Communist Party and Workers Party of Bangladesh. During those session--s we could understand the social and political background of Bangladesh and the strength of its labour movement. On the other hand those parties could be made understand on the power and strength of Sri Lankan Trade

Union Movement and on its political background. We should highly appreciate for inviting us to take part with the convention of BTUC. Also we would like to once again extend our support and cordial solidarity to BTUC and for its all members. We can make sure on BTUC that they will overcome and defeat very soon the undemocratic situations of Bangladesh.

Conti... Workers..... Job Losers, and they have started struggling to win their rights. All private sector workers in the country are suffering and getting ready for trade union actions. On the other hand, The Estate Sector workers are unhappy about the shortcomings of the government especially on their low salaries. The Government has postponed the signing of the collective agreement for

from page 01

estate workers. Because of the postponement, The All Ceylon Estate Workers Union has planned trade union actions to seek solutions. According to the situation the President of the National Trade Union Centre, comrade Lal Kantha MP, pointed out to the placard that if the government failed to solve these problems faced by the working class, there would be island wide trade union action in the near future.

07

Sep/Oct 2009

EMPLOYERS VIOLATE THE C-AGREEMENT WORKERS STRUGGLE The estate workers work according to the collective agreement signed b y t h e Tr a d e Union on behalf of workers.The implementing collective agreement was signed in 2006 and ended by March of 2009. But the efforts have not been made yet by the relevant parties to sign the collective agreement even though three months passed. Com. Ramalingam Chandrasekaran; The Chairman of The All Ceylon Estate Workers Union said to the PLACARD that the new collective agreement has not yet been signed. The previous collective agreement is not valid now. The All Ceylon Estate Workers Union as one party of the agreement discussed three occasions with the employers. But they didn’t give their consent to increase the basic salary scale. The reason according to them, that the prices of Tea and Rubber in market have been decreased. This is completely incorrect. During last few months the prices of Tea and Rubber have been increased. We are not going to allow them to cheat the workers hereinafter in such manner. We have planned to take steps to discuss with other trade unions. We demand that the basic salaries should be increased by the employers without cheating. Unless, we have decided to under go the trade union activities along with other trade unions.

More details about unions activities? Go to www.unions.lk

Employees of FTZs In Danger... Comrade Janaka Adhikari, The General Secretary of the Inter Trade Zone Employees Association said that all afforts made by relevant organizations to control the continuing economic crisis in that sector have failed, right now. On Private sector concerns, especially within The Free Trade Zones employees have been sacked from jobs to minimize expenditure in order to face this economic crisis. However with the collapse of the markets in Europe and in the western countries, many local manufacturers had to reduce production or to shut down. Comrade Adhikari further stated that Investors in the Free Trade Zones of Sri Lanka have brought this matter to the notice of the Board of Investment of Sri Lanka at several occasions.

Since last April, a large number of private companies have closed down consequently about 50,000 employees have lost their jobs. Being an employee of FTZ, receives lower standard salary, the economic collapse has seriously affected the lives of large sector of the employees. The overtime payments and allowances have been slashed and the employees are neglected. Because of this situation about 20,000 employees have left their workplaces during the past 05 months, Comrade Adhikari said. He further said that sacking of employees and cutting down their payments are against the law. Therefore The Free Trade Zone Employees Association would take trade union actions and legal actions against.

Conti.....

To defeat...

the last local government election liberation struggle ideologistical for Jaffna municipal by joining together struggle aimed on council R. all the ethnic groups. them. Sampanthan asked The Sri Lankans Now the LTTE has people to bring them would be able to been defeated by in to power if they gain the real arms. But still the (people) want an liberation only separatism ideology Ealam. In a time through such a wide haunts. Certain when the LTTE has struggle leveled powers are been defeated, the against the continuously trying people in the north imperialism, proto give life to this has become helpless. imperialistic ideology. Specially in If the Tamil National capitalists and from page 03

Organizations ready to come in to power by milking the racism and separatism not defected, the people in North and South will surely be in a cruel war again. They are trying to get the help from the west as well as from India. If the Rajapaksa regime does not understand all these n

the country will definitely fall into another racist war. However according to the way the Rajapaksa regime acts, hoping such a positive solution is also a falling on to a miracle. So that the wide front comprising of all the ethnic groups is needy of the day.

Placard Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Job Losers Lineup To Register egistration of job losers in Sri Lanka was conducted by the "National Centre For Job Losers" at Colombo on September 1st, 2009. The large number of job losers got the registration of the "National Centre For Job Losers" . Commenting to PLACARD on the registration of members to the centre, Comrade Wasantha Samarasighe the convener of the centre said that the government has agreed to fulfill the demands put forwarded by, on behalf of the job losers, before end of September. If the government fails to fulfill those promises by this date , the National Centre is going to launch a massive protest.

The Protesting Campaign conducted by the All Ceylon General Ports Employees Union of Sri Lanka Port Authority demanding their salary increment in front of the main entrance of the port, Colombo Fort.