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Citing CEB reform pain, 25 unions demand more compensation
View(s):Twenty-five Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) trade unions have started a work-to-rule campaign, claiming that the utility’s restructuring process is being carried out unlawfully.
In a letter to Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, the unions have put forward 24 demands, including that all employees must be granted a 50% increase based on their basic salary “due to the difficulties caused to employees by the restructuring process and the injustice caused by the loss of ownership of the Ceylon Electricity Board”.
The work-to-rule started at midnight on Thursday, and if a satisfactory solution to the cited issues is not granted, trade union action will be intensified from September 16, the letter warns. The government and CEB unions have been locked in a spiralling dispute over the impending implementation of restructuring plans.
Separately, the CEB Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) this week forwarded to Energy Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala its proposal for a collective agreement to ensure a “seamless transition” for all employees who will be transferred under the restructuring of the CEB into separate companies.
One of the recommendations is that all employees in the new companies be assured of a minimum 10 per cent salary increase every year, taking into consideration the Sri Lanka Consumer Price Index, inflation and regional salary scales.
The notice of trade union action reiterates that there must be no curtailment, abolition or any adverse change made to any monetary or non-monetary benefits (including all allowances, loans, loan interest reimbursements, incentive allowances and all such benefits) currently applicable to CEB employees.
It also rejects the terms of the voluntary retirement scheme published last week, saying the method of calculating compensation is not accepted. “It must be revised so that three months’ salary is paid for each completed year of service and two months’ salary for each remaining year, without being subject to the maximum limit of Rs. 5mn, and the full amount must be paid,” it informs the Minister.
A deadline of September 15—in nine days—has been given to issue “proper” letters of appointment (or at least as an addendum) with mandatory details and documents, including the post, salary, place of work, nature of work, conditions of service and privileges enjoyed during CEB service, confirmation of rights to promotions and transfers, registration number and address of the successor company, details of the Boards of Directors, institutional structure, assets of the institution, liabilities and entitlements must be reissued to employees, it insists.
The proposed collective agreement letter states that, when the government issues or sells shares in the new successor companies, at least 20% of the total assets of those companies must be distributed among employees.
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