About 40 trade unions have decided to engage in a massive collective strike on March 15. Professional Trade Union Alliance (PTUA) various sectors will engage in an island wide token strike against the government’s oppressive tax policy.
Accordingly, the trade union action is supported by the employees of petroleum, electricity, ports, water supply & drainage, health, education, Railway, SLTB, Private buses, banking and several other sectors.
One of the main reasons for the strike is the government’s latest tax policy, which professionals term as unfair. They have called for immediate reforms in the tax policy.
However, many railway unions, including the Railway Station Master’s Association, the Railway Controller’s Association and the Railway Controller’s Association, will not participate in the strike.
Meanwhile, Federation of University Teachers’ Associations FUTA planning to launch a strike action in all universities. CEB Employees’ Union will also support for the trade union action. Doctors’ union, Government Medical Officers’ Association GMOA will launch a island wide strike from March 15.
Gemunu Wijeratne, President of Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association, stated that the private buses will NOT support the strike (15).
Wijeratne said that there will be no disruption and schools, offices and other services will be maintained as usual. He also said that if there are not enough buses to run those services, steps will be taken to deploy additional buses.
