May Day marks workers' solidarity

By Isuri Kaviratne

International Workers' Day is commemorated worldwide today to mark the introduction of eight-hour work shifts and the labour-oriented social movement that followed.

President Maithripala Sirisena in his May Day message said, on this day the working class world over commemorate the victories won after sacrificing their blood, sweat and tears. May Day signifies the pain suffered by the working class -labouring in factories, farmhouses and other places of work, even though they are an integral part of the labour force.

Since the SLFP victory in 1956, the working class in Sri Lanka has won most of their rights and now there is a more progressive movement in the country, today, he said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in his May Day message said as a nation, it should be the collective responsibility of everyone to ensure that the commitment of the working class is recognised, their well-being is assured and a healthy environment is created to enhance their contribution to society. It is timely, to reflect on the role of unions which represent workers and their rights, he said.

"Unions should give priority to safeguard the rights of workers, instead of focusing on political agendas. Such a farsighted vision would not only empower workers but also serve the best interests of the country," he said.

Leader of the Joint Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardena said the working class should stand firm, unite and safeguard the living standards., he said. "Defeat the reactionary forces that threaten to destroy the gains the working class has won through years of struggle," he said.

The JVP in its May Day message said internationally, May Day reflects solidarity, unity, militancy and strength of the downtrodden masses led by the working class. Capitalism suppressed the working class when it fought for their rights and is continuing to do so. The crisis of capitalism has drastically burdened the working masses, it said. General Secretary of the Ceylon Teacher Services Union Mahinda Jayasinghe and Coordinator of the Da Bindu Collective, a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) workers' rights association Chamila Fernando said the majority of the working class in Sri Lanka were still struggling without adequate pay. Jayasinghe said not having an adequate salary, reducing pension contributions, not getting allowances promised by the government is just the tip of the iceberg. People working in the tea estates were struggling to increase their daily wage from Rs. 475 to Rs.1000.