Strikes: Is it a healthy option?

With trade unions in the country reported to be poised for an islandwide token strike tomorrow, the issue of ‘reasonable’ industrial strife has gained prominence in political debates, social dialogues and in the everyday public discourse.

While the convenors of the purported strike justify their decision on difficulties faced by the working massed due to the ever-increasing cost of living, the contemplated trade union action has attracted the wrath of dissident trade unions, the criticism of Government representatives and the disapproval of certain segments of the public who consider the action unjust and politically motivated.

While the success or the failure of the strike is yet to be seen, the present situation reflects the conflict of views that has prevailed in our society regarding trade union action for many years.

Among the principle allegations levelled against Sri Lankan trade unions is that the majority of them are affiliated to political parties, and accordingly use labour rights to fulfil the aspirations of not the working class, but their political patrons.

In addition, the right to strike is often abused by most trade unions, especially in the public health and transport sectors, where doctors, nurses and private bus operators strike at the drop of a hat, holding patients and commuters ransom to win their demands from the Government.

Are our trade unions using their right to defend the interests of the working class in a responsible manner? Is the right to strike an absolute right outweighing national security and other issues of public interest?

Do Sri Lankan trade unions exhaust other peaceful dispute settlement methods before resorting to strikes?

Should trade unions be independent of political affiliations? Have your say on the above issues as we take Strikes: Is it a healthy option? as the topic for Daily News Debate this month. Your contributions (limited to 1,500 words) should be sent to Daily News Debate, 35, D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha or via e-mail to [email protected] on or before August 11, 2008.

Strikes an obstacle for development

R. F. Maria Dineshan

Just as the natural disasters and the food scarcity and increase in the cost of living and the terrorists attacks that are taking place without an end in sight the strikes that are being staged on various claims are also causing hardships to the general public.

During the past decade there had been strike in various sectors of the working class and it has caused much burden on the economy of the country. When the strike by one group is settled after giving relief to it then the other group of workers come out with strike action putting forward their set of demands.

Except the Military and police sector all other workers who are paid salaries out of the taxpayers money are putting forward more and more unrealistic demands united as Trade Unions.

Workers forming Trade Unions is an undeniable right. They are legally entitled to stage strikes to win over their rights if they are not attainable through negotiations. But in the countries like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman Trade Unionism is banned and strikes are illegal. In Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait there are restrictions and limits on Trade Union activities.

Wherever there are employers and employees there is room for forming Trade Unions and resorting to strikes is a last resort to win over their rights and demands.

There are historic records of strikes from the 12th Century A.D. There had been various strikes like wild cat strikes, sit down strikes, sympathy strikes, Japanese strikes, Italian strikes and Jurisdictional strikes. Some times the workers make use of their rights to strike like cutting the twig to pluck flowers.

In Sri Lanka, Trade Unions of the working class are functioning the puppets of political parties and this is a curse on the society. Some of the Trade Unions in the guise of “the welfare of the workers” are attempting to fish in the muddy water.

There are 366 Trade Unions consisting of National Trade Union Center (NTUC) and All Ceylon Estate Workers Union (ACEWU) coming under the control of the JVP. Another Trade Union called the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya is under control of the UNP.

The Trade Union that pretend that they are interested in the welfare of the workers are exploiting the earnings of the workers in the guise of monthly membership contributions and conducting strikes and pushing the people and the government into difficulties.

They are not rendering even any help for the development of the country. I do not know what is their reply to the saying of an American President “Don’t ask what the country has done for you. Ask what you have done for the country”.

Most of the workers who are educated and holding the posts in the government service are the ones who had had their education from the kindergarten to the university at the expense of the government on free education scheme.

The Minister had informed that for each medical student studying in a State university the Government has to spend 4 Million Rupees a year.

Apart from that the Government provides healthcare and several other services free to the people as a whole. But the employees who have joined the Trade Unions want their demands fulfilled then and there.

The Health Sector consists of Doctors, Nurses, Paramedical personnel and attendants. Their services are not only great but also are essential. But they resort to strike action even for trivial reasons and the melody of strikes had spread on to the Health Service of Sri Lanka, said a Minister of the Government this is something that should be ashamed of. Some of the strikes that had been staged by them is a must to be mentioned.

l When the Nurses claimed one of the rooms in the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya as that of theirs and the Doctors on the other side claimed it to be their, a strike was staged on that controversy.

l When a Male Nurse attached to the Ratnapura Hospital scolded a Lady Doctor working there in foul language he was transferred to the General Hospital at Kegalla and there was a strike against it.

As a result of that three patients including a child lost their lives due to the lapse in medical treatment. Following that the strike was ended to the “fullest satisfaction” of the strikers. It was said that nurses had locked their medicine cupboards and hidden the keys.

l When the Attendance Registration through Finger Print Machine was to be installed there was a strike against it.

l If there is a Salary anomaly then there is a strike on it. I quote from an editorial in an English daily newspaper from Sri Lanka “Hippocrates and Florence Nightingale would spin in their graves if they knew what doctors and nurses were doing in this country”.

Another sector is the education sector that consists of workers who had to formulate the future of this country. It has become the strike fashion of them to show the salary anomalies and demand increases in salaries and boycott their teaching duties specially the correction of general examination answer papers. The university entrances got delayed because of that.

There are strikes staged in electricity supply, estate sector, railway and omnibus transport, postal sectors all of which our country has to face on and often.

There are more than 853,000 Sri Lankans engaged in employment abroad who remit money for the subsistence of their families and thereby bring in foreign exchange into the country which is a great boon to the Country. In those countries where they work there are strict labour rules.

Undergoing all those difficulties they earn their wages and remit it to Sri Lanka for the living of their families. It is regrettable that from the foreign funds remitted by them millions of Rupees are being spent on the payment of overtime wages to the Government servants in Sri Lanka.

The Nation-wide Token General Strike that was staged on July 10, was held in spite of the fact the President had called for discussions. The demands put forward were:

l To increase the salaries of Public Sector workers by Rs. 5000 per month and to increase the daily wages of Estate Employees by a minimum of Rs.500.

l To add Rs.5 to each point of increase in the cost of living index after affecting the new salary increases.

l To lower the Railway fare hike to an affordable level with immediate effect * Along with that they demanded the reduction of the number of Ministers from 100 to 30, to implement the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, to cancel the Provincial Council Elections that are to be held and to reduce the number of Advisors to the President.

In spite of the country being affected economically the Government has decided to give a salary increase of Rs.1000 with effect from July 1st and has promised to consider the granting of salary increases at the next budget. But the organisers of the strike have rejected it.

Though the strike was sponsored by the JVP the UNP gave a helping hand and the TNA offered support. It is the intension of the parties that supported this strike to hide the internal disputes of their parties and to engage in conspiracy against the Government.

In countries like Japan the strikers attended the office but will not do their normal work and in spite of it spend their eight hours duty time in repairing and maintaining the machinery. But here in our country the strikers go so far as to destroy public property.

At strike that was carried out on July 10, the strikers put nailed planks across the streets to puncture the bus tyres and disrupt their running.

Though it is a legitimate right of the workers and Trade Unions to strike it is always a headache for the Government. But I wish to point out here our President inviting and honouring persons like Alavi Mowlana who had functioned as Trade Union Leaders for a long time.

I wish to stress here that forming of Trade Unions and becoming members is a valuable right given to any worker. At the same time it creates disputes between the employers and the workers both in the private sector as well as the Government sector. It is not wrong to put forward demands that are just and right to receive them. Disputes should be attempted at first to be settled in peaceful manner.

For that the government and the employers should be given adequate time space. Each party should take into consideration the problems of the opposition party. If the demands are just and fair and if the sector concerned does not fulfill them the working class as a last resort and unavoidable action use the strike as venture to win their right.

If the weapon of strike that could disrupt development is used very often its power will dwindle and severe actions will be taken against it.

The writer is a student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna

Trade unions, political opportunities and appeasement

Miran Perera

Trade unions are essential entities in any democratic country and should be encouraged to represent the worker. The worker however must not be suckered in to 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 over emphasised.

Unfortunately Trade Unionism in Sri Lanka is mostly inspired by political factions with leaders aspiring to catapult themselves in to 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 breakaway from the strangle hold of political parties. A union has been defined as permanent organisations founded by workers or employees 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 no democratic country are trade unions which resort to violence tolerated. Most worker strikes in many countries are staged for political gain and opportunity and non appeasement by the government has resulted in violence.

In every country which grants Trade Union immunity from civil action lays down that where union members resort to violence or damage to employers, property they forfeit such immunity.

Ours is a developing country with many political opportunities but 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 what 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 fair appeasement, of development and also help the security forces in their effort to preserve the soverignites 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. Many alleged leaders of Trade Unions have succumbed to party politics.

They mislead rather than lead worker members blandly in march Trade Union fashion making them mere pawns. They shout slogans in political rallies and display their loss of genuine Trade Union identity and also the lack of solidarity in the Trade Union movement. If Trade Unions are to be strong the workers must be properly organised.

The issue is how can worker organisations and Trade Unions acquire a new look and create a better public image as worker organisations are true to its spirit in participating in development for higher productivity? How can the personal development of the workers and Trade Unionism function?

On what issues should any publicity and shouting in public be done to honour workers rights and gain support for workers welfare? In improving performances at work places?

In Trade Union activities with peace while maintaining the dignity of workers? In Sri Lanka a strike is generally considered a legal weapon and the only curbs are under the collective agreements which could totally prohibit strike action or restrict action to particular sections in times of emergencies proclaimed under the Industrial dispute act and the public security ordinance to declare certain services essential.

Unfortunately sections of so called public servants appear to have become so insensitive if not senseless that they have used the weapon as the first option disregarding all norms of Trade Unionism.

Sulking in, sulking out

Jayantha Senevirathna

It’s usual to see them in their sulky moods, and we bear it. Sulkiness seems their birthright, and they become hostilely silent even before you make your slightest overture. This is not pondering over an unseen species, but our own state sector. And, now, they have been threatening the masses with a new wave of strikes stirring the memories of the past.

Though the early trade union leaders used their education, influence, and social status to organise the working class into a single unit, they have certainly failed to render the task in the nations’ favour.

In the post-independence era, these leaders had been one of the most influential - and mythologist - political characters among the working class, but they failed pathetically to identify the slow transition to liberal capitalism that had taken place in Russia and China. Many believe this transition smothered many aggressive pursuits of democracy in these former communist societies.

And, they not only failed to modernise their comrades, but also to humanise them. A pay hike essentially follows service excellence and professionalism. But for these so called union leaders, it’s not even the last thing to consider when they want to call on strikes.

Surprisingly, trade union leaders never engage on a sort of self-criticism, and the Government, in turn, never questions back of their productivity, professionalism, or work ethics.

Ultimately, using working classes only to attain political ends, many trade union leaders ended up becoming nobodies seeking partnerships with the extreme right. And, in the final humiliation, they became tragic figures meekly in office either attached to centre-right or left Governments. Yet, arguably, many deem they still deserve an honoured place in our political history.

It’s a common knowledge that a good number of State officials concerned with the service sector habitually come out with a blunt rebuff when asked for a duty done. It may be an administrative secretariat ridden with official red tape, a hospital run by careless health aides, or a school poorly attended by insincere tutorial staff. But unions mushroom, and already in abundance to protect their rights, not the rights of the masses who work for themselves.

This is the State sector that has been threatening the masses calling on street protests. For a start, last month, the Government was forced to allow an irregular midterm holiday for national and provincial schools. Even though the holiday was uncalled for, it was allowed for fear of the safety of innocent children. And, for worse, irregular holidays are less cause for celebration for both children and parents.

So far, State-run enterprises have failed to deliver the sort of service that sends the common man away happier. And, only the happy will be loyal, and loyalty is something service providers desperately need if they are to survive and proceed.

Hence, it’s high-time for the Government to assess Government expenditures have actually been counted. In the private sector failure means an eventual lay off, but in the public sector it’s notoriously immaterial.

So keener to promote their stuff on the market, as a rule, bubbly customer service reps come out with plentiful choices, special deals, and much more in the private sector.

In a cool business air, making you at ease, they swiftly work out what you are really after. And, as usual, they end up the deal with the haggle-free arrangement that you never have asked for. In an adverse economic climate, these reps make out how customers make their minds up.

For instance, during the festival season, a friend had to arrange transport for an annual excursion. And, he asked our office assistant to call a transport service provider nearby, and arranged a luxury coach for an amount a bit higher than normal. The office assistant took only ten minutes to settle things over, and the coach came on time to pick us up.

My friend had initially visited a Government-run institution, and had been wasting precious time for nearly two hours walking up and down the corridors, but in vain. Customarily, service reps had been taking some more time for their breakfast on the particular morning.

Even though the themes underlining the first scenario were pride, pleasure and satisfaction, it costs us dearly. Then, in the second scenario, the themes were shame, anger, and frustration, but we were happy to bear the extra cost saving precious time.

Why do we maintain these institutions further while we rely on the private sector for our requirements? Is the culprit political authority, trade unions, or us, the voters? It’s us, the voters. It was fairly evident last week, when the voters contemptuously refused, the union leaders’ call.

They knew that union leaders manoeuvre people’s power solely to achieve their political ends, and they were furious. Actually, the Government earns credit for feeding the humane impulse that made the masses hold back from unleashing vicious returns on those disgruntled union leaders.

In a war-torn country, engaging in a decisive war, people’s power is very much at the disposal of war heroes. It’s a partnership to the core. Neither the masses, nor the soldiers want to destroy the cause they passionately believe in. And, the masses expect these union leaders to have good sense and decency not to let the country drown in bloodshed till the brave soldiers finish up with ending terrorism.

In an economic downturn, worsening with an impending oil crisis, any substantial increase in salaries would require either higher taxes or cuts in public spending. As sensible citizens, we are to educate on such realities. But, when we don’t see any warmness towards the task from the upper end of the spectrum, we simply get agitated.