Trade unions and the peace process

T. Rusiripala

National issue: Peace process is undoubtedly the most important current national issue. Various social elements are involved in the process with a sense of commitment in the national interest.

Since the fanatical Liberation Tigers started a battle against the government of Sri Lanka in 1984, more than 100,000 people Sinhala, Tamil Muslim and other communities have died and several thousands have been displaced. Today we are in 2007 and the vicious conflict continues unabated despite open and public international proclamations condemning the state of affairs.

Finding a solution to this is the concern of every self respecting citizen and there is an ongoing discussion how to end the war and how Sri Lanka can heal its physical and psychic wounds.

It is acknowledged that Third party intervention and mediation is essential in the process. Almost all political, religious and social organizations of this country are apparently contributing their share to achieve peace with intensive attention on a political power devolution equation and social reconciliation.

Trade Union sector of this country which is even constitutionally recognised, unfortunately has adopted a very non committal and neutral policy with regard to this matter in contrast to their vociferous engagements in other activities.

Trade Unions as a democratic force have an important role to play in the peace process. If trade unions fail to appreciate how political, economic, and social ground is fundamentally shifting and live with the current affairs with active involvements they will be left behind in this race towards the future.

The objective of this article is to offer some insights into the prevailing situation, concerns to be addressed, to anticipate and so change the possible consequences.

In the context of deteriorated standards and lack of a unitary approach towards important national issues it may appear to some that the subject is not relevant and regarded as controversial to the Trade Unions but truth has to prevail even it if leads to heated debates and painful exchange of views among them.

We can start with an overview of the economic changes which have come to stay consequent to the war situation.

Sri Lanka had a proud claim to promising and sound economic conditions at the time of Independence. Before 1983, the economic growth was faster in Sri Lanka than in other South Asian Countries.

Today in terms of comparative rates of economic growth Sri Lanka's performance has fallen far short of its economic development potential. This dwarfing of the development achievements has resulted in our ranking as an undistinguished economic performer among the developing nations of the world.

Increase in defense expenditure has caused an overall adverse impact on our investment levels. Foreign investment which was the main catalyst for promotion of growth is seriously affected due to the uncertainty created by the war.

All these factors lead to a limitation of employment opportunities and a reduction in the employment income and increase in the cost of living which is direct concerns of trade unions.

Peace and security pose many problems to members of trade unions in many ways. Human and trade union rights are affected and undoubtedly constrained. There is loss in productivity due to work disruptions, bombs and bomb threats in most parts of the country also leading to instability in the work places.

As a result of the feeling of insecurity thus created a tendency has developed to the migration of skilled labour out of the country and a general brain drain. The movement of people has been severely curtailed not only in the affected areas but in other areas too due to security reasons.

Paramilitary groups have been imposing unauthorized taxes on the people living in the war areas causing dramatic increases in the cost of living. Corruption is rampant and people are helpless. Most trade unions represent members working in these areas.

Their plight, although innocent of any involvements in the conflict, is worse. In developing countries, trade unions are essential components in the building of democratic nations, which are capable of fostering a real sense of nationhood.

As the trade unions encompass in their membership heterogeneous populations they are capable of and more eligible to foster harmonies among the public through their members.

Trade union rights are inseparable from other human rights and active trade unions of vital importance for the preservation and exercise of human rights and democratic process. Rights cannot simply be established by the rule of law; or by a show of strength only; they must be constantly recreated by the responsible institutions acting in democratic societies.

For the parochial minded these approaches may sound to be a little beyond their scope and capabilities. Making a wage demand will certainly be a popular step for a trade union leader in the traditional sense.

Sometimes such demands are made just for that. But remaining alive to broader issues is more important however difficult the involvements be. In Society the only constant is "change".

The fact that working people must be organised and collectively represented if economic relations are to proceed in a balanced way calls for urgent intervention in that direction at times of such profound change. Imaginative, forward looking solutions and involvements with the conceiving of new ideas is needed if trade unions are to keep pace with reality and meet the challenges of the future.

It will be a gigantic task for the Trade Unions to come to the fore-front shedding their differences to play a vital and dynamic role for the sake of the country at a critical moment such as now. It needs leadership, courage and dedication to achieve this.

Cardinal point is with regard to the creation of Public opinion and canvassing a point of view leading towards peace in the country the collective strength of trade unions is not second to any.

The writer was the President of the Ceylon bank Employees Union from 1988 to 1994. He also served as the President of the National Trade Union Centre for Independent Trade Unions during this period.