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| Sunday, 4 May 2003 |
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No discernible signs of improvement in living standards of workers - CWC's Chandrasekera BY P. KRISHNASWAMY Thousands of workers thronged Colombo and the towns last Thursday to commemorate May Day, staging colourful rallies, processions and vociferating workers' rights, under banners of different political parties and trade unions. The Sunday Observer contacted some of the trade union leaders for their comments on the working conditions and living standards of the workers, the protection of workers' rights, the impact of globalisation and their approach to the present political climate in the country. Excerpts of some views: Senior Vice President of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC), Harry Chandrasekera: "As far as the CWC is concerned, the advent of global privatising held out the promise of better living conditions for the workers and the ordinary people. But we cannot see any discernible signs that the living standards have improved because the COL has continued to escalate. This, however, must be evaluated in the background of decelerated economic growth due to certain internal and external factors that showed negative growth rate. One of the main internal reasons for this, apart from mismanagement of the economy, has been the colossal sums spent on the ethnic conflict. Therefore, the most important message during the May Day commemoration is the prevailing peace, solely due to the courageous approach of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in bringing about the ceasefire agreement. "Naturally, for a conflict that has spanned two decades, hiccups are bound to occur before a permanent accord could be developed that would remove the background and motive for the conflict. So this is one of the major factors that should be taken into account when we talk of the impact on the COL. It is, therefore, fair to give the Government some time. However, the hope pinned on private enterprise as a magic formula to kick start the economy has unfortunately made the rich richer and the poor poorer. As such there is a need to re-examine whether unhindered private enterprise is really the answer to effective management of the economy. The CWC fully supports the peace process and the devolution of power which will once again unite the country as one nation for the march towards prosperity without parochial interests placing roadblocks in the way of peace." President of the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers' Union (LJEWU), Rajah Seneviratne: "Estate workers' living conditions have to be improved. What has been done in this respect is not enough. They must be given the ownership of their living quarters. Discrimination is prevailing with regard to provision of maternity benefits to the plantation workers compared to other public and private sectors. This has to be remedied, and workers of all sectors must enjoy equal rights. Globalisation is an international phenomenon and it is not possible to isolate the estate workers from the rest of the world. Plantation TUs have been able to come to a very satisfactory understanding with the companies and the rights and interests of workers in estates managed by the companies have been protected under the Collective Agreement. But there are estates owned by private parties where the workers continue to get only Rs. 101 as daily wages. It is the responsibility of all TUs to activate the Wages Board so that this would be rectified. The workers, like everyone else, need peace in the country and not war. Trade Unions must unite to advocate peace, irrespective of whatever political parties they may belong to. But there are a few power-hungry, disgruntled people who are pressing the President to start the war. This is very pathetic." Colombo Mercantile Union General Secretary, Bala Tampoe and Ceylon Bank Employees' Union President, M. R. Shah have, (in a joint May Day communique) call upon the Government, the LTTE and all concerned for the sustenance of the cessation of armed hostilities between the Armed Forces and the LTTE and for continuance of negotiations to bring about a political settlement on the issue of the right of self-determination of the Tamil-speaking people (both Tamil and Muslim) of the Northern and Eastern Provinces." "Called for mobilisation of all possible working class support for the struggles that are necessary to combat the adverse effects of the economic crisis of the Global Capitalism System upon the economy of Sri Lanka and solidarity with the movements and struggles of the workers and peoples of other countries against exploitation and oppression." " Demanded legislative prohibition of the employment of workers through Labour contractors on a casual or trainee basis to perform regular work in any service or industry." "Called for TU resistance to the move of the Government to free employers who employ labour contractors or on a casual or trainee basis to perform regular work in any service or industry." President of the United Lanka Estate Workers' Union and President of the Democratic Workers' Alliance, Vasudeva Nanayakkara: "The living conditions of the workers which includes the rural and plantation workers as well have declined over the years corresponding to the decline of their real wages which is the wage contributing to inflation. The workers are becoming more and more indebted. With the escalating prices of essential commodities and services and the decline of public services like transport, health and education, the burden of expenditure has increased commensurately. To meet this situation, a woman in the household or a daughter has to seek employment in the Middle East at great discomfort and grave danger to their lives. There is a tremendous competition for survival. This has given rise to social and communal tension in our community and globalisation should take the entire blame for that. "The TUs and workers should jointly develop a strong alliance of workers and other sections of the society with similar condition with a view to overcoming the political sway of both the UNP and the PA. They should continually press on the process of peace which is the avenue for unifying the different sections of the people with this objective." |
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