Obligations of trade unions towards national development

J.T. Roshantha Fernando

PRODUCTIVITY: With the threat from various trade unions, even from professionals, doctors and engineers, much attention has been focused on the obligations of trade unions and their responsibilities in the process of national development.

Recently the Daily News has been carrying articles which related to the impending strikes and the responsibilities of Trade Unions. News items such as "Country first before self, veteran trade unionist tells doctors" and "Trade union action by CEBU engineers will endanger country's security".

Attempted to emphasize the need for the unions to act with a greater sense of responsibility.

In the context of the present economic and security situation it is timely and relevant to examine the role of the unions. It is accepted without dispute that harmonious industrial relations are vital for increased productivity. Economic progress and national development to a large extent depend on industrial peace.

The Workers' Charter was acclaimed by the Government "as a solemn declaration and commitment by the State to ensure implementation of labour legislation and its enforcement in the interest of the workers".

While the workers' rights and privileges are apparently adequately safeguarded, the question posed by many employers, should not the employers also be protected against worker indiscipline, violence and vandalism as well as from the irresponsible conduct of trade unions?

It is accepted that not all trade unions act with a sense of responsibility. Workers rights and other rights are directly linked to a sense of responsibility. To the extent unions, fail in their responsibilities to that extent they should morally forfeit their rights.

There should be a code of ethics for industrial peace if it is to be a reality. As such it is timely to consider a code of ethics for trade unions, to ensure that unions act with a degree of restraint and responsibility, particularly in the present unenviable predicament in which the country is since almost all its resources are diverted to fight one of the world's most ruthless terror groups.

It is incumbent on all unions to support the national effort in pursuance of the war, since wildcat strikes will only weaken the government and forces.

We have in recent times witnessed strikes accompanied by violence and vandalism. No right thinking person will condone such violence. If any worker, group or trade union resorts to sabotage, wanton destruction of property, harass or intimidate persons it has to be condemned.

Climbing high rise buildings, water towers, roof tops, and taking employees hostage at the point of a knife, wanton destruction of the employers property, plastering walls with obnoxious and obscene slogans are all repulsive to trade unionism.

We are all aware of how the buildings, walls and gates of certain establishments were sprayed with aerosol cans and virtually annihilated.

These are indisciplined and criminal acts savouring on terrorism. Regrettably the acts of indiscipline reek of grossly irresponsible union leadership. To permit workers to resort to violence to obtain demands is a flagrant violation of the basic rights of employers and workers to resolve issues by negotiation, consultation and arbitration.

It is not trade unionism to resort to strike action for the slightest grievance which would be the ultimate weapon if negotiations fail. The "cart before the horse" policy of striking first then negotiating is alien to trade unionism.

It is regrettable that professionals like the doctors and engineers attempt to resort to strikes at the drop of a hat before the authorities have had time to look into their grievances, regardless of loss of life that may ensue. In certain essential services unlawful striking can be considered criminal negligence or even homicide.

Political alignment

Unions are essential entities in any democratic country and should be encouraged to represent the worker. The worker however must not be suckered into launching unreasonable wars that would only lead to the closure of productive venture.

This will be eventually only hurting themselves and the country. The need for unions to maintain their independence without aligning themselves to any political party cannot be overemphasized.

Unfortunately trade unionism in Sri Lanka is mostly inspired by political factions, with leaders aspiring to catapult themselves into the political arena by championing the causes of the workers.

It is in the larger interest, both of the workers and the country, that trade unions break away from the stranglehold of political parties. A union has been defined as permanent organisations founded by workers or employers for their own protection as working human beings, to improve working conditions and as an instrument to communicate and express their problems.

The definition entails the function of representing the class of workers and increasing the social status of its members. The two functions are also the basis of operation for unions in developing countries.

Besides these two functions, unions perform several other important functions which are vital in the process of development. These are the wage-security function, productivity function, the educational function and the social integration function.

In the context of the current wave of worker indiscipline it is relevant to examine the educational role of the unions. Workers can be disciplined by education. Unions have an educational role to play. They can contribute in various ways to make workers more knowledgeable.

This is not restricted to making the worker more knowledgeable and improving one's proficiency in a trade and skills but it also means developing the abilities and learning to live well and earn one's living productively in a spirit of self - reliance.

Since union leaders have close contact with the rank and file of the membership they are in an enviable position, being able to influence the thinking and the actions of the lower classes to a great extent.

Most of the labour force, white collar workers and even professionals should be advised not only about their rights and privileges but also about their obligations to the employer, society and the country. At present with the war with a dangerous and fanatically motivated enemy looming before us, we cannot afford wild cat strikes.

The country is faced with a severe unemployment problem. The union leaders must consider and respect the right of the unemployed to get jobs. It is indeed regrettable that most union leaders do not adequately realise that in a country like ours a large number of people are unemployed that employment creation should stand highest in the nations priorities.

Unemployment

The resurgence of a southern subversive movement should also be considered seriously. The fact that Sri Lankan unemployed youth is getting impatient and frustration is increasing.. The only solution is gainful employment.

Ours is a developing country with limited resources and it is by higher productivity we can ensure more foreign investment and economic development. Everyone accepts without dispute that investment is essential for development.

Consequently job creation is high up in the country's priorities. Investors will be vary and apprehensive if they are not certain that unions will act with a sense of responsibility.

Regrettably that is happening in the industrial relations front today is contrary to the need. Considering the economic predicament, the enormity of the security problem with unprecedented escalation of terrorism any attempt to destabilize the country by wild cat strikes will have adverse effects on the economy.

If the already battered economy is given a further blow the beneficiaries would surely not be the working class. Unions can support the process of development and also help the Security Forces in their effort to preserve the sovereignty of the country.

It is wrong to judge the unions only by their power of bargaining for wages and security of employment alone. The guarantee of the freedom of association and the right to strike burdens the unions with an unenviable responsibility towards society.

Unions can assist in the process of social change, changing the workers' outlook which is an important factor for national development. An important factor that stimulates economic growth is the improvement of labour productivity. Union leaders should always strive to increase productivity by means of campaigns, instructions, and training.