EFC condoles on demise of Bala Tampoe

The Employers' Federation of Ceylon (EFC) conveys its deepest sympathies on the demise of Bala Tampoe, who was the General Secretary of the CMU for many decades. The EFC was fortunate to be associated with the CMU for many years.

Bala Tampoe

The oldest Collective Agreement, which has subsisted without a break, is the Collective Agreement that the EFC entered into with the CMU in 1961.

Bala Tampoe represented the CMU throughout this period and it is ironical that he passed away a few days after the draft Collective Agreement for renewal was sent to him by the EFC.

The CMU, under the leadership of Tampoe had unique qualities as a trade union. Tampoe had strong views in terms of his ideology and at the same time, demonstrated qualities of high integrity.

He was outspoken and candid in expressing his views. The CMU, being an independent apolitical trade union stood above all differences and promote equality among all its members.

"As for the EFC, our experience has been that once an Agreement was signed and concluded, we were assured of the union and its members complying with the undertaking given in terms of the agreement. Tampoe gave leadership to mature trade unionism," a media release from the EFC said.

The void that will be created in the CMU as a result of Tampoe's demise will be difficult to fill. But the legacy that he has left in terms of honesty, integrity and undivided loyalty are qualities that not only the working class but all stakeholders in the world of work can try to emulate.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to all members of the CMU and hope that they will be inspired by the commitment, loyalty and the passion that Bala demonstrated throughout his life for the lives of others," it said.