EFC, CMU sign historic collective agreement

Veteran Tampoe inks signature since 1961:

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) and Ceylon Mercantile Union (CMU) signed the ninth revised Collective Agreement in its 50th year after the initial agreement signed in 1961. The agreement covers clerical and supervisory staff salaries and agreed to do away with cost of living payment.

EFC Director General Ravi Peiris said it is a win-win situation for both companies and the unions which will offer new opportunities in strengthening industrial relations at workplaces resulting in sustainable enterprises.

He said the EFC and the CMU have gone through many challenges and changes during this period and signing of this historical agreement is a clear example to both employers and trade unions.

It gives a clear message that whatever difficulties may arise it is always possible to compromise and reach a settlement if both parties are willing to look at the interest of the other party.

Peiris said the General Secretary of CMU Bala Tampoe had the unique opportunity of signing the first agreement in 1961 and the ninth one yesterday within 50 years.

CMU General Secretary Bala Tampoe said “this agreement is useful to regulate industrial relationship. At the age of 89 years having worked with three generations he still looks forward to work for the people. In the business world it is necessary to understand the difference between the employees’ relations and industrial relationship and we all have to play a role to upgrade the levels of people,” Tampoe said.