Public Sector Union Action Spreads Across Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); Employees across various sectors of the public service are engaging in union action today as well.

This is in response to several demands, including issues related to wages.

Government Executive Officers:

The Joint Committee of Government Executive Officers is participating in a union action by reporting sick leave today and tomorrow.

The Joint Committee of Government Executive Officers comprises executive officers from 18 professions, including state engineering, inland revenue, accounting, education administration, systems organization, technical education, teacher education, veterinary, agriculture, fisheries, and labor commissioners.

This union action is being undertaken to demand economic justice.

Non-Academic Staff:

Due to the ongoing non-academic staff union action, all school principals have been informed to seek parental support to ensure the smooth continuation of school activities.

Education Ministry Secretary Tilaka Jayasundara announced that appropriate measures have been communicated to maintain uninterrupted school operations.

Non-academic staff members in schools nationwide are engaging in union action by reporting sick leave for the second consecutive day, demanding a national policy for non-academic services.

The Non-Academic Education Workers’ Union stated that in addition to the policy, they are addressing several issues including uniform problems, transfer issues, leave issues, work hours, and allowances.

In light of the ongoing union action, the Ministry of Education requested the Secretary of Defense to promptly develop and implement appropriate security measures for schools and educational institutes.

A letter issued under the signature of the Education Ministry Secretary outlined the proposals, which include providing Civil Security Service personnel for night duty at schools and supplying food to boarding students at schools and educational institutes.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education released a statement noting that numerous issues faced by non-academic school staff have been resolved over the past two years.

The statement emphasized that taking union action under such circumstances appears to be a purely political move, and the ministry underscored that normal education cannot be disrupted by non-academic staff union actions.