Unions meeting to decide how to counter divestiture drive

Trade unions, some affiliated with political parties, are scheduled to meet on December 28, at the Postal Auditorium, Colomboto discuss ways and means to oppose privatisation of key sectors, including electricity, banking, insurance, telecom, and postal services.

Trade union representatives said that they felt the urgent need to reach a consensus on an overall plan to counter the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s strategy meant to facilitate privatisation of public enterprises, and state assets, under various guises.

 The move is aimed to address the concerns arising from the impending privatisation processes affecting electricity, banking, insurance, telecom, and postal services.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated his intention to privatise the above-mentioned sectors in his Budget for 2024, presented on November 13. A division was taken and 122 votes were cast in favour of the Bill, while 81 votes were cast against it.Trade unionists said that they were confident of forging an alliance to fight the government.

Several sectors, including electricity, banking, insurance, telecom, and postal services, have already expressed support to these efforts. In recent weeks, unions, representing postal and telecom workers, have staged strikes, with the latter continuing its protest action.

Pointing out the notable absence of electoral mandates for privatisation measures in recent elections, they said that neither the current government nor its predecessor have sought a mandate for this process. Unions asserted that implementing recommendations, solely based on the demands of international institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, without public consensus or formal stakeholder consultations, contradicts democratic principles and undermines the sovereignty of the people and the nation itself.

While recognising that there may be differing views on privatisation within the country, the trade unions collectively advocate a unified and serious opposition to such a significant change. Emphasising the need for a democratic and consultative approach, the trade unions have called for these discussions to ensure that the concerns of all stakeholders are adequately addressed.