11 February 2022 08:18 am Views - 128
By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera
Laws should be introduced to take action against trade unionists who resort to strikes by crippling essential services and putting the lives of innocent people in danger, Minister Rohitha Abeygunawardena said yesterday.
He told Parliament that some trade union leaders with political objectives had launched a strike action to create an anti-government force.
“Health service of a country is an essential service. There should be laws regarding strikes in sectors related to essential services. People are dying without medicine. Everyone cannot afford to seek treatment in private hospitals,” he said. The Minister said they admitted the right of trade unions to take trade union action and added that there should be a proper way for that.
“COVID-19 pandemic, dengue fever and a virus fever are spreading in the country at present. It is wrong to strike at this juncture. They are fishing in troubled waters,” he said.
He urged Justice Minister Ali Sabry to bring in laws to take action against unreasonable strikes in essential service sectors.
Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella said Trade union rights had been accepted by the law and added that the government should pass laws in Parliament if they wanted to change it.