The Free Workers’ Union has unanimously passed a resolution advising the government against submitting the controversial Unified Labor Law to Parliament, claiming it violates international labor conventions. This proposed law, which received Cabinet approval during the previous administration under the advice of international lending institutions, is deemed by the union as “inhumane” and detrimental to workers’ rights.
During the 10th Representative Conference of the Free Workers’ Union of Sri Lanka held at the Foundation Institute in Colombo, nearly 300 officials representing 280 branch trade unions from state, semi-state, cooperative, and estate companies were present. The conference revealed that the union boasts a membership of over 60,000.
The first resolution, presented by W.C.D. Prabhat, President of the Electricity Board Branch of the union, firmly opposed the proposed Unified Labor Law. The second resolution, presented by Manoj Manamperi, President of the Telecom Branch, announced the union’s decision to withdraw from the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), as it has yielded no tangible results in their collaboration.
Additionally, four more resolutions were passed unanimously, including:
- Minimum Wage Increase: Requesting the government to increase the minimum wage to Rs. 50,000 due to the rising cost of living, which has increased by Rs. 21,814 according to statistical data.
- Budget Allowance for State Enterprise Employees: Requesting a Rs. 10,000 budget allowance for employees of the state enterprise sector, which has not seen any allowance increase since the 2015 budget.
- Abolition of Subcontractors: Urging the government to eliminate subcontractors (Manpower) operating in violation of labor laws.
- Cooperative Movement Strengthening: Advocating for enhanced cooperative structures to combat the concealment of food by fraudulent traders.
The resolutions were proposed by Telecom Branch Chairman Manoj Manamperi, Petroleum Branch Chairman Jagath Wijeyagunaratne, Lake House Branch representative Anura Godakanda, Cooperative Branch representative G.G. Chandrasena, and Petroleum Corporation representative Jagath Wijeyagunaratne. They were seconded by Ravindu Sudarshana, Secretary of the Airport Trade Union.
The Free Workers’ Union asserts that any attempts to implement such detrimental labor laws will be met with firm opposition and calls for immediate government action to address their concerns.
