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All doors closed to universities

By Hiranthi Fernando
The university non-academic staff strike has entered its third week. Universities throughout the country are paralysed. Lectures are cancelled and students once again face the postponement of exams. Discussions are being held among the Tertiary Education Ministry officials, University authorities and trade unions of the non-academic staff but there seems to have been no breakthrough.

"Although a welcome break for many students, the issue of the non-academic staff strike is causing quite a few setbacks for us," said one university student. "Just when most universities have settled into some kind of routine, something has to go off track, causing yet another situation where students have to put their lives on hold."

Sri Lanka must be the only country with this 'eternal student' syndrome, says another frustrated student. "Time is a crucial factor, especially for students on the verge of getting out of university. Having already waited long to get into campus, it's frustrating to have to sit around and just wait when most of us are ready to move on."

Although the academic staff are not on strike, lectures cannot be conducted because it is the non-academic staff who open the halls, clean and maintain them, explained Prof. I.K. Perera, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sabaragamuwa. "We only know what the University Grants Commission tells us," Prof. Perera said. "The Secretary to the Ministry had a meeting and said that most of the demands have been granted."

At Ruhuna University, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ranjith Senaratne said examinations have been postponed due to the strike. Prof. Senaratne said they have had a dialogue with the strikers and there have been no incidents. "They say there are anomalies and are asking for three increments," the V.C. said. The matter has now been referred to the Labour Commissioner for arbitration. "I am very keen to see an early settlement of the issue, particularly since the university is celebrating its silver jubilee soon. We cannot have a celebration while a strike is going on."

Prof. Kapila Gunasekera, Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, said they have had a few incidents of intimidation of workers who did not want to strike. He said many of the staff did not wish to be part of the strike. "Most people want to have their salaries. The UGC has asked us to pay salaries to those who are not on strike. However, it is difficult for a few to work while the strike is going on."

Last Monday there had been disruptions to the water service and some taps had been damaged. The striking staff claimed that this was done by outsiders. "However, I told them that if this does not stop, I would have to call in the police. The water service was restored shortly after," Prof. Gunasekera said. He said they had postponed examinations and lectures. However, the Medical and Veterinary Faculties have decided to continue clinical work for the final year students so that they could keep to their schedules. He said if a settlement is reached soon, the new intake could be taken in October, as scheduled.

D.P. Lokugamage, media spokesman for the Inter- University Trade Union Joint Committee which represents the non-academic staff said they have put forward seven main demands. He said the joint committee is made up of 24 unions. Explaining the main demands, he said that in 1989, an agreement had been reached between the ministry, university authorities and unions that salaries should be reviewed and revised every three years. Since 1998, there has been no revision, Mr. Lokugamage said. The first demand is to grant the revisions that have been withheld for six years.

According to Mr. Lokugamage, from 1992, when double batches of students were admitted, the staff had been given an increase of 25%, referred to as a backlog allowance, which was also reflected in their EPF, ETF and gratuity. Since the B.C. Perera Committee report in 1997, this allowance was discontinued. Instead, those who were receiving this allowance were paid a monthly compensation allowance (MCA) of Rs. 500. This meant a drop in salary to many.

The MCA is paid only to those who joined prior to March 4, 1997, although those who joined after this date are also doing the same quantum of work, Mr. Lokugamage said. The second demand is that the loss in salary be restored and this allowance be paid to all.

Further, according to him, the B.C. Perera Committee recommended three salary increments for some categories of technical staff. This, he said, has been misinterpreted and the increments granted to 59 other categories, which creates anomalies. They are demanding that this anomaly be rectified and all categories be given these increments. Thereafter, they say the technical categories should be given the three special increments recommended.

There have been anomalies in various categories of non-academic staff, which also need to be rectified, he said. Another grievance is that the distress loan, which they are entitled to within a few days of applying, takes four years to be paid. "Finally we ask that the Non-Academic Services be evaluated, appreciated and a report given."

According to Mr. Lokugamage, these are their main demands. The other matters raised are those relevant to various, specific unions in the Joint Committee. They concern matters such as changes of names of the category. For example, he said the name Non-Academic Staff, translated into Sinhala implies that they are without any education whatsoever. This should be corrected, he said.

Minister for Tertiary Education Mr. Kabir Hashim said there were a total of some 28 demands, of which 19 have been resolved. Among these 19 demands three are considered main demands. The Minister said an interim salary allowance of Rs. 5,000 up to the end of the year, has been agreed on until the state sector salaries are increased. Rs.3,300 will be given with the August salary and the balance in four equal instalments till the end of the year.

The Minister said the union was continuing its protests as their demand for three increments given to technical categories had not been granted. This was refused because the Attorney General ruled that it was not applicable. The matter has now been referred to the Labour Commissioner.

"We have given the maximum," Mr. Hashim said. "I believe there are some irresponsible elements who have other motives than obtaining workers' rights."

"No decision has been made and students are supposed to just wait in limbo until matters are resolved," complained a student. "At this point it may not seem like an issue but this is going to cause quite an upheaval once we get back to campus. The term is going to get affected, the next term will be pushed back, exams will be postponed and vacation time will be cut short. What may seem like just a month, or maybe even more at the rate things are going, will delay yet another academic year."

Delays, strikes, inaction…the saga is all too familiar.

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