The Ceylon Electricity Board Joint Trade Union Confederation (CEBJC) states that local representatives of the International Labour Organization (ILO) have pledged to raise concerns over the impact of CEB restructuring on workers with the ILO headquarters in Geneva, as reported by the Mawbima Sunday newspaper.
This assurance was given during a meeting with trade unions held at the ILO Sri Lanka office in Colombo 07 on the 25th. At the request of the ILO, all trade union representatives who signed the joint demands attended the meeting, which lasted for more than two and a half hours. The ILO Sri Lanka Director and other officials also attended the session.
According to the CEBJC, ILO representatives expressed concern over the manner in which the reform process is being carried out. They emphasized that the use of “Assignment Letters” constitutes a serious violation of workers’ rights, as well as the country’s labor laws and constitution.
ILO officials further stated that they would inform the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about the need to safeguard workers’ rights during what they described as one of the most significant reform processes in the country’s history. They also noted their surprise that the Reform Secretariat lacks labor experts or consultants, and offered to provide such expertise while raising the matter with the Ministry of Electricity.
The CEB unions highlighted that certain actions related to the reform are in contempt of court, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling on the relevant bill.
The ILO thanked CEB trade unions for conducting themselves professionally and for refraining from strike action to avoid public inconvenience. The organization assured maximum intervention to resolve the issue and has already contacted the Commissioner General of Labour for further discussions.
Additionally, the ILO has pledged to take up the matter with the Ministry of Power and the Minister of Labour through the Department of Labour.
