Accept Reforms or Seek Jobs Elsewhere : Govt to Striking Postal Workers

by Zulfick Farzan 19-08-2025 | 1:02 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); No further changes will be made to the overtime allowance structure or the biometric attendance system in the postal service, said Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa as he reaffirmed the government’s position on postal sector reforms.

Dr. Jayatissa clarified that the April overtime allowance has been calculated based on the basic salary applicable from January 2027, and not on the increments introduced in April 2025 or January 2026. He noted that due to current fiscal constraints, the Treasury is unable to accommodate certain overtime payment formulas, resulting in some employees receiving three-fourths (3/4) and others five-sixths (5/6) of the calculated amount.

With approximately 23,000 postal workers affected, the Minister emphasized that the 5/6 payment model will be applied uniformly, based on the full basic salary of January 2027. He acknowledged that salaries have increased since April, but reiterated that this policy is standard across the public sector and non-negotiable.

“Further discussion on overtime allowances is not productive. This is the framework we will continue with,” Dr. Jayatissa stated.

He also addressed resistance to the fingerprint-based attendance system, which is already operational in administrative offices of the Department of Posts. Only a small group of employees at the Central Mail Exchange have refused to comply, a stance the Minister said is unacceptable.

“We have increased salaries and overtime using Treasury funds. If, despite these improvements, an employee refuses to use the fingerprint system, we cannot allow that,” he added.

Dr. Jayatissa made it clear that these are the final decisions:

No further increase in overtime allowances

No removal of the fingerprint system

Postal workers who comply will remain in service.

Those who find the overtime insufficient or cannot accept the fingerprint system are free to seek employment elsewhere, he said.

“We are only willing to engage in discussions once there is full acceptance of both the overtime policy and the fingerprint system,” the Minister concluded.