18 TUs oppose postponing May Day by the Government

18th April 2018 /Joint Trade Union Media Release.

Protest against postponing May Day and obstructing worker commemoration.

We strongly protest the decision of this “good governance” unity government that has not only postponed the international workers’ day on May 01^st that in Sri Lanka is a workers’ right to celebrate, but also its attempts at disrupting any workers’ celebrations on May Day.

It was in 1956 that May Day was declared a holiday in Sri Lanka for Public, Bank and the Mercantile sectors. After 62 years this government has declared May Day a working day by issuing a gazette notification that has created confusion even among the top Bureaucracy. Government has on a unilateral decision, declared May 07 as the alternate day for May Day celebrations. The government did not even consider it worth discussing the issue of postponing May Day in the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) before it decided on the postponement.

The government said the May Day was postponed as it would disturb Buddhist religious activities widely practised during the “Wesak week”. Trade unions therefore decided to hold their May Day rallies on the international workers’ day on May 01st in a manner that would not disturb religious activities as claimed by the government.

Following up on the government which gives into the greed of wheeler dealer business postponed the May Day to May 07, the major partner of this government, the UNP that now controls the Colombo Municipal Council has refused permission for May Day rallies to be held in public parks on May 01^st. The government has thus achieved an indirect ban on all May Day celebrations in Colombo.

It is our experience now, this government that gives into wheeler dealer interests is openly and seriously into curbing worker and democratic rights. All these including the postponement of the May Day and refusing permission to hold May Day rallies in public parks, fall in line with the appointment of a businessman who was brought into parliament on the UNP national list, being appointed as acting minister of Labour and Labour Relations. We therefore forewarn, these developments would leave all promises and guarantees given by this government to the EU in regaining GSP “Plus” as benefits and advantages to the businessmen and not to the people and the workers of Sri Lanka.

As such, we as trade unions will proceed to hold our joint May Day rally as usual on May 01^st, whatever hurdles there could be. We therefore call upon all organisations, groups and individuals who stand for human, democratic and worker rights to join hands with us, this May Day.

1. Ceylon Bank Employees Union

2. Ceylon Mercantile Industrial & General workers union

3. Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union

4. Ceylon Estate Staff union

5. Union of Postal and Telecommunication officers

6. United Federation of Labour

7. Ceylon Teachers Union

8. Insurance Employees Union

9. Women workers Solidarity Union

10. Commercial & Industrial Workers union

11. All employees Union of Information Telecommunication

12. Telecommunication Engineering Diplomat’s Association (TEDA)

13. Federation of Media Employee Trade Union (FMETU)

14. Government United Federation of Labour