Saying no to change

SL Combined Management Union calls off strike but remains firm on opposition to new pension plans:

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

In the backdrop of the government wanting to change the existing pension scheme, trade unions will discuss grievances with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe tomorrow (Monday 18) and will not resort to a strike action, Sri Lanka Government Combined Management Assistant Union Treasurer and Spokesperson Tissa Bandara said.

"Discussions will centre on the change in the pension scheme for public servants and whether there is a need to change it," Bandara said.

At the beginning of this year, the government appointed a committee to look into whether a change in the existing pension scheme as suggested by the government was necessary.

Trade Unions opposed the move, insisting that there was no need for change. "The existing pension scheme was beneficial," he said.

The committee comprised an Additional Secretary of the Prime Minister's office, representatives from government and semi government institutions, representatives from the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS), Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya and the Sri Lanka Administrative employees Union.

Women employees

Joseph Stalin

"We do not want a change in the pension scheme and the retirement age needs to be increased to 65 years. The government insists the elderly population was increasing and rather than paying them a pension from 55 years, it was better for them to be in service," Bandara said.

The Combined Union also urged that the Widows and Orphans Pension Fund, EPF and ETF should be set up as a separate statutory fund. "It will benefit contributors and will be more transparent," he said.

Dr. Nalinda Herath

"Women employees should retire after 20 years of service or at the age of 50. At present, this is applicable to police and military service women only. We demand it to be a option for all women employees," he said.

The Ministry of Finance will sign the approval for the first installment of the Rs.10,000 increase for public employees. As agreed upon it will be Rs.2,500.

"According to our information, under a new government circular that will come into effect in May, the remaining increment will be paid" Bandara said.

"The government has been flexible and has assured that the demands will be met within a reasonable time-frame" he said.

Strike action

"Following the discussion with the Prime Ministerial Committee, if there are any unresolved matters, we will write to President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe," said Bandara.

The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) withdrew its nationwide call for strike action on January 4, following discussions with the Prime Minister.

"The authorities have invited us for further discussions and it will take place in due course,"Secretary to the GMOA Dr. Nalinda Herath said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe has assured the medical sector will not be affected by the Indo-Lanka Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement (ETCA). The Agreement will concern Information Technology and shipping sectors, he said.

Minister of Public Administration Ranjith Madduma Bandara has assured the GMOA that salary ratios at different levels of public administration will not be changed.

"He instructed the Ministry Secretary to look into the matters we raised such as Grade promotion and salary increment," he said.

He emphasised that every discussion had taken place and now it's time to implement the agreed terms. Following the discussions, the GMOA will decide on further action during the general meeting to be held by the end of this month.

"Several discussions were held in the past few months and it is time for the government to implement the terms that were agreed upon," said Ceylon Teachers' Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin.

Promises

"A month has elapsed since the initial discussions, but so far only committees have been appointed and discussions held. Trade unions have waited long enough. To repose the trust between the Government and the working class, it is high time the Government delivered on its promises," Stalin said.

Trade unions did not resort to a strike because of the Prime Minister's statement in Parliament. "We are waiting patiently until the promises are implemented" he said.