Essential Services orders revoked

COLOMBO: President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday revoked regulations invoked under Clause 5 of the Public Security Act.

The regulations pertain to the declaration of several public services as essential services.

This followed a discussion between President Rajapaksa and trade unions last evening.

The Government reassured that it had no need to stifle the working class or use Emergency regulations to suppress trade union action. It expects the same commitment from the trade unions, a news release from the President's Office said.

During the discussion, President Rajapaksa has assured trade unions that he would never take any step to stifle trade union action.

"The President conveyed to us that he was willing to consider amendments to the regulations after discussions with the relevant parties," Western Province Governor and Convenor of the Joint Federation of Trade Unions Alavi Mowlana said.

At yesterday's meeting, the President has pointed out to the trade union representatives that he has always stood against the suppression of trade unions and never taken steps to curb their action. "The President also said that the majority of trade unions the country were acting responsibly while only a handful were engaged in callous acts," Mowlana said.

The Government recently declared several services deemed vital for ensuring public security and public order as essential services.

The news release recalled several pro-worker decisions taken by the Government such as non-privatisation, pay hikes for public servants, restoration of the pension and the payment of CoL allowance.

It noted that 2006 would go down in history as an year which recorded fewer trade union actions and worker agitations. This exemplified the trust placed in the Government by the working class.

Trade unions and workers have also acted with responsibility in times of national crises, it said. The restoration of power facilities to Muttur following the recent incidents and the exemplary conduct of heath TUs and workers during the recent past are two examples.

Among the services declared essential through an extraordinary gazette notification dated August 03 were services required in connection with healthcare, public transport, fuel supply and distribution, electricity supply and post and telecommunications.