Over 200 Public Sector Trade Unions to Launch Strike

Colombo, Sri Lanka (July 6, 2024 – LankaXpress) – Over 200 trade unions in the public sector, including Grama Niladhari Officers, Surveyors, Teachers, and Principals, have announced plans for a coordinated trade union action by reporting sick on Monday (July 8) and Tuesday (July 9). This announcement comes from the Trade Union Collective, signaling a broadening of industrial actions that have already disrupted various sectors.

Late last month, on June 26 and 27, teacher-principal trade unions carried out an island-wide strike by reporting sick leave. The strike was part of a protest demanding a salary increase and other long-standing issues. The action culminated in a large protest rally in Colombo, where police used water cannons to disperse demonstrators.

In a related development, 14,600 non-academic employees from 17 universities and 19 joint post-graduate institutions have been on strike for 65 days. This protracted strike has severely disrupted the higher education sector, affecting the lives of 250,000 students.

The combined impact of these industrial actions highlights the growing discontent among public sector employees and the pressing need for the government to address their demands. The upcoming sick leave action on July 8 and 9 is expected to further strain public services and increase pressure on the authorities to find a resolution.