SLT employees contemplate ‘disobedient’ action against poor management
View(s):Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) is now in dire straits owing to its failure to adopt sensible management practices, Telecommunication Engineers Union (TEU) alleged.
In a letter to SLT chairman P.G. Kumarasinghe Sirisena, TEU President Samantha Ruwanpathirana stated that SLT has proven a fertile ground for enacting decisions made outside of it, thus causing negative consequences to the organisation.
As at today, it is uncertain that SLT has a proper organisational structure in carrying out duties with responsibilities, he added.
If the senior management authority fails to fulfill their demands the trade unions will be contemplating disobedient campaigns as a mark of protest, he said adding that they will not cooperate with SLT chairman, CEO, COO and CHRO (Chief Human Resources Officer) within the next two weeks. SLT senor officials were not available for comment.
According to the recommendations of the special 3-member committee headed by retired Appeal Court Judge, N. Sunil Rajapaksha, an executive director and a managing director responsible to SLT board should be appointed.
The posts of CEO and CO should be reinstated replacing Group CEO and COO but no action has been taken so far, he said. This committee was appointed last year to inquire into alleged malpractices and irregularities at the company since 2009.
It has also suggested the company to seek legal advice to ascertain whether the SLT is a company coming under strict supervision and management of the government or a company that should be managed only in accordance with the Companies Act.
“At present management decisions were based on the whims and fancies of ill motivated external elements with short term gains for individuals perpetuated by self-interests promoted by the present SLT management,” Mr. Ruwanpathirana said.
The TEU has urged SLT management to empower executives on their authority based on the assigned job descriptions and allow making decisions based on proper judgment of professionals in all levels without any undue external influences.
The TEU executive committee has decided to hold an Emergency General Meeting tomorrow demanding the withdrawal of ad-hoc changes in the organisational structure and preventing favouritism, stopping waste and misuse of SLT money for events with no justification and appoint sub-committees to address grievances of the membership.