Govt not pliable as roguish unions assume - WP Governor

by Ananth PALAKIDNAR

Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana is one of the foremost trade unionists of Sri Lanka. This veteran trade unionist had faced grave crises in the past. So with the end of the war against terrorism Governor Alavi Mowlana insists that the trade unions in the country also have a big role to play in rebuilding the war-torn nation instead of becoming easy pray to the unscrupulous political elements. Excerpts from the interview with Governor Alavi Mowlana:

Q: What is your observation on the recent crisis that was brought out by certain trade unions?

A: First of all I would like to say the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government is more towards the uplift of the working class. President Rajapaksa built up his political career by voicing for the working class. He had taken part in several trade union fora to address the grievances of the working class.

Therefore, I believe there was no crisis situation as such. The Government has agreed to pay hikes along with measures to bring down the prices of essential goods. So certain unscrupulous elements which are unable to digest the achievements of the Rajapaksa Government were only working behind the scene of the trade union turmoil. But the Government with its sincere commitment to the working class managed to sort out the trade union issues.

Q: How do you see the so-called combined action of various trade unions?

A: I do not understand the thing called combined trade union action. It was a farce. To blow up the situation only they came out with those catch words. If it was truly a combined action the whole country would have been paralysed. Therefore, the thing called 'combined trade union action' was nothing but a farce.

I represent the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party's trade union - Sri Lanka Nidahas Sangamaya. Hardly any member from the SLFP trade union joined the so-called combined action.

Q: With the end of the war against terrorism the trade unions claim that their pay issues and the welfare matters should be looked into. What do you say about it?

A: Of course, we have dealt successfully with their demands. I would like to remind that when the United National Party came into power in 1977, around 100,000 government servants were sacked for demanding only Rupees ten as increment! Even now the people who had lost their jobs in 1977 July strike have their plight to recount. The present government has however responded to the demands with pay hikes and additional allowances.

Q: The trade union of the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya had also joined hands with the trade unions of those opposition parties. What have you got to say about it?

A: There was nothing like that. The SLFP trade union remains a pillar of strength to the Government. So the elements which tried to bring discredit to the Government had fabricated tales that the SLFP trade union was also very much in the picture. But there was nothing of that nature.

Q: What is your role in sorting out the trade union issues as SLFP trade union stalwart?

A: I am the convenor of the Joint Council of Trade Unions. The discussions held with the trade unions were constructive.

The Government is positive of sorting out the remaining issues as well. It has been agreed to give 22 percent of pay hike from November-December and this increment will be added to the salaries in January in response to their demand.

Q: How do you expect the trade unions to put forward their issues in a developing country like Sri Lanka?

A: The trade unions in our country should realise the present Government of President Rajapaksa has won the war against terrorism which had haunted the entire country for the past three decades.

The war had destroyed not only the lives of thousands of Lankans. It had also ruined the country's economy after destroying its valuable resources. So with the end of war the Government is now determined to put back the country on the right track.

Year 2009 is the year of winning the war against terrorism. The Government is looking forward to develop the entire country in a big way in years to come.

Therefore, as the country is now recovering from the horrors of a devastating war the trade unions must understand the realities and support the initiatives in rebuilding the war-torn nation instead of getting manipulated by unpatriotic elements.

Q: Apart from the manipulations of the Opposition parties, do you think any outside force is also using the trade unions to put the Government in an uncomfortable situation?

A: What I could say is there is an unseen hand operating behind the trade unions. Their intention is to make the Government uncomfortable in its functions. However, as a trade unionist I am confident President Mahinda Rajapaksa is capable of sorting out problems without leaving room for them to aggravate further.

Q: There are more political parties and more trade unions. Don't you think this is a negative trend in a small and a developing country like Sri Lanka?

A: Too many cooks spoil the soup! I am a trade unionist for the past fifty years. I had suffered immensely for being a trade unionist in the past.

I had lost my brother-in-law in 1990 and my brother in 1991 when the UNP regime came hard on our trade union activities. Nowadays even the parties with only a handful of membership have their trade unions active. It is a real joke.

Our country had numerous refined trade union leaders with good leadership qualities. So following such leaders the present day trade unions should also come forward in putting their demands without toppling the apple cart!