By Sarah Hannan Trade unions prepare to launch a protest campaign on Wednesday (21) in front of the Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations premises from 11 a.m. onwards, opposing the implementation of the Single Labour Law. Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union Joint Secretary Anton Marcus, speaking to The Sunday Morning, revealed: “The proposed law would repeal the Wages Boards Ordinance that decides basic working conditions of around eight million private sector workers and would also repeal the Shop and Office Employees Act and the Maternity Benefits Act. Employers will be given the right to decide working conditions in employment contracts and this law provides legal coverage for such employer-decided contracts.” Marcus also informed that the law will empower the employer and restrict the rights of the employee, stating they would be able to stipulate work hours even up to 12 hours, keep employees on contract basis without absorbing them to the permanent cadre, change the weekly off day to even the middle of the week, not pay overtime, offer jobs even for hourly wages, and offer employment for minors among many other rights violations. The Government of Sri Lanka in March had initiated labour market reforms by introducing the Single Labour Law which was to replace 28 outdated labour legislations that are practiced to date. The Wages Boards Ordinance No. 27 of 1941, Factories Ordinance No. 45 of 1942, Shop and Office Employees Act No.19 of 1954, the Maternity Benefit Ordinance were to be revised and integrated into a single employment law with the assistance of USAID; in collaboration with the Ministry of Development Strategies and International Trade, Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, and the Attorney General’s Department; and to be formulated as a unified legislation. With the Bill being successfully drafted and presented to the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) on 9 July, the trade unions seemed to oppose the new law and have now requested the Minister of Labour and Trade Unions Ravindra Samaraweera to withdraw the proposal that is to be presented at Parliament. A letter signed by 23 trade unions opposing the implementation of the new unified labour law submitted to the Ministry on 15 August, indicated that if provisions in the draft law are to be implemented, it would create a labour force with no real safety and guarantee in employment, turning it into a social issue. The trade unions believe that it would have an adverse impact on public sector employees and on the whole society. The trade unions further alleged that US consultancy firm Chemotic International Inc. had provided support in drafting this law, and they believe it is in total violation of all traditions and norms in creating and amending labour laws in this country.