T Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unions have intensified their industrial action by refusing to participate in procurement and tender activities in protest against the government efforts to restructure the CEB.
CEB workers, led by the CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) and affiliated groups, began their industrial action on 04 Sept., as a work-to-rule, citing irregularities in the restructuring plan. Over the weekend, employees launched a sick-note campaign and held a protest in front of the CEB headquarters at Colombo Fort, signalling growing unrest.
“Seventeen days have passed, but authorities have failed to address our demands. Our trade action will escalate further if our concerns continue to be ignored,” said Priyantha Wickramasinghe, General Secretary of the New Employees Union.
The unions’ refusal to engage in procurement and tender processes could potentially disrupt critical operations at the CEB, affecting electricity supply management and infrastructure projects.
The government has said the workers’ fear of losing jobs due to the restructuring of the CEB are unfounded. It has ignored the protesters’ call for negotiations.
by Chaminda Silva 