More trade union protests and strikes this week

Following the mass strike by trade unions across all sectors on Wednesday against the Government’s new tax regime, more protests and strikes have now been announced by the Sri Lanka Postal Service and the Sri Lanka Railways. 

The Sri Lankan Postal Service has declared a three-day ‘black protest’ campaign which commenced yesterday to voice their dissent against the ‘unfair’ tax hike by the Government and the increased banking interest rates.  The strike action was announced by the United Front of Postal Unions. Its Convenor Chinthaka Bandara said all post offices across the country will participate in the protest. 

“The country has been forced into bankruptcy. But it is not the country’s workers who are at fault for this. However, the Government is treating the workers as if they are the perpetrators responsible for the country’s downfall,” Bandara said. He said the union will declare a strike action after 20 February if the Government does not revoke the new taxes imposed and reduce the interest rates being charged by banks. 

Meanwhile, locomotive engineers of the Sri Lanka Railways will go on strike from midnight today over several demands including promotions and several other issues faced by them. Union Secretary A.T. Jayasinghe has informed the Railways General Manager that the union will go on strike regarding the promotions issues of Grade II locomotive engineers, other issues related to grades, reduction of overtime and the improper management of railway revenue.