WORKING TO RULE: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has advised his Ministers to settle trade union issues amicably. They should not prolong issues affecting the working class in the country. Workers also should try to understand issues and resolve them to bring about industrial peace, healthy and conducive atmosphere in the workplace.

Just two weeks ago the country was plunged into economic abyss due to 'the go slow' at the Colombo Port and strike at the Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation. While the port workers resort to 'go slow ' tactics to win their demands, the workers at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) went on strike opposing the appointment of a new Chairman to the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminal Limited(CPSTL).

According to media reports it was unreasonable on the part of the CPC workers to have gone on a strike over an appointment of a Chairman made by the President exercising his powers vested in him under the Constitution to make such appointment.

The Daily News of July 26 in its lead story quoted Transport and Petroleum Resources Minister A.H.M. Fowzie. This was what the Minister had said about the strike action of the workers: "If the President cannot appoint a chairman to an institution coming under his purview what is the position of the Executive President of the country? The unions attempt to curb the powers vested in the President. If we allow the trade unions to act as they want the next day they might demand the resignation of the President. We cannot allow them carry out this sort of unreasonable trade union action".

The workers at the Sri Lanka Port Authority resorted to the "Go Slow" campaign to win an increase of Rs. 3,000 and both the Government and the Workers stuck to their guns. The trade union action was claimed as legitimate action recognized by the International Conventions related to Labour Laws. But the Supreme Court before which the case was taken up described "Go Slow" type activity that would hamper day-to-day operations of the Colombo Port as a pernicious act committed against the whole country.

But if workers of any Institution proceed with the 'Work to Rule' is it wrong or illegal? It is Gamaya's humble opinion that all the perils in the country are because the workers fail to work to rule! If the workers 'work to rule' every day, then they would be performing their duties within the ambit of the meaning of the phrase. Gamaya does not think there is anything illegal in it.

If the workers 'work to rule' in the strict sense of the word, there is no need to claim overtime and no authority could demand the workers to do over time. If there is bulk work that has to be completed within a specific time frame to avoid penalties in terms of International Law what the authorities should do is to employ people on contract basis to clear the particular workload.

But the outcome of the Port workers 'Go Slow' cost the economy billions of rupees and compelled several ships to skip the Port. It took sometime for both sides to see the issue in its correct perspective and to resolve the issue. By the time the Government belatedly appointed a Committee to look into the issue the damage had already been done to the national economy.

The workers agreed to go back on condition that they would be given an increase of Rs. 1,500 per month until the issue is resolved.

All right thinking people disapproved the actions of those responsible of playing to the gallery showing salary sheets of workers. It is not ethical to publicise a person's salary details and the utterances by both parties involved. The issue only added fuel to the fire.

In respect of the CPC strike it was argued that the 'Trade Unions' cannot strike on a issue of an appointment of a Chairman to a particular institute by the President. This is a subject that merits debate.

There are views supporting and opposing the issue at hand. But what is necessary is while allowing for the debates, the Government on its part should strive to handle such sensitive issues with a bit more care.

In a way what is wrong in consulting the trade unions or the whole workforce of a particular institute before appointing a 'head'.

Gamaya considers it to be a healthy approach, although there is no such a system in operation in the country.

After all, they all have to put their heads together and work fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the masses for a better tomorrow. As subsequently revealed it was not mainly on the appointment of a chairman but things have got mixed up to such a degree there was a clear lack of communication that led to the unwanted strike action.

In both instances the country suffered a great loss in economic terms while the general public had to face severe hardships in the long run, and the very masses are called upon to bear the burden of the loss by paying extra levies.

It is better to keep in mind that the term masses or general public include workers as well as those in the top grades.

It is an accepted norm that workers should use the strike weapon only as a last resort. But as things happen in Sri Lanka the trade union action has lost its meaning and attracts public hate and resentment rather than support or sympathy.

Looking back on the history of strikes and trade union actions of the past we should deeply lament the spilling of innocent blood and loss of valuable lives in the name of trade union action. It is a tragedy and an unpardonable offence to have sacrificed the lives of the innocents and those who have died, had died in vain for still the workers clamour for justice and fair-play, which remains a distant dream despite many a strike in the past.

As we dealt here with the strikes and trade union action Gamaya taking a clue from the advise given to the Ministers, wish to suggest that the Ministry of Labour study in-depth the views expressed by the President to resolve issues amicably by the respective Ministries, issue a guideline as to how the respective Ministries, Institutions and Departments should act as all issues are related to human beings, to avoid workers taking to all forms of trade union action.

What is necessary is to have a machinery to deal with issues as they emerge to resolve them. Foreign Employment and Labour Relations Minister Athauda Seneviratne, a man who has shown his mettle in handling situations with PR, is capable of coming out with a formula that serves the working class and the country.