Trade Union protests to continue until tomorrow

• Trade unions warned that they would engage in trade union activity to paralyse the country tomorrow (15) if the president does not listen to them

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama

Several trade unions, including port workers, state bankers, and doctors, had engaged in their trade union action against the government's move to impose a massive PAYE tax, increase electricity bills, increase bank interest rates, and urge the government to honour the working people's freedom to exercise their democratic rights.

While protesting, the trade unions said that they would engage in trade union activity to paralyse the country tomorrow (15) if the president does not listen to them.

Meanwhile, the president of the Sri Lanka Free Workers' Association of the Port Workers, Prasanna Kalutarage said the current issues must be solved through discussions; if not, they will join the massive protest tomorrow to shut the port until the president steps down.

Therefore, the port workers had engaged in a 48-hour work-to-rule campaign. The protest was held near the port's main entrance against unfair tax revisions at noon during lunch hour. According to the workers, all port trade unions participated. The unions claimed that the government would suffer a huge loss and they should take responsibility for that.

Several state bank employees today reported to work clad in black. They believe that a positive response will be received today; if not, trade union action will continue to pursue professional avenues.

"A series of protests will be implemented across the country tomorrow." The strike will continue on Wednesday (15) if we do not find a solution," the bank employees union said,

However, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) and the Specialist Medical Experts today launched their token strike across the Western, Central, Southern, and Eastern provinces.

Due to the protest, the clinical functionalities and the activities of the outpatient department (OPD) of several hospitals in the Western, Central, Southern, and Eastern provinces were on mute.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said they have decided to engage in continuous trade union action from tomorrow, if the government does not listen to them.