• FTZ and GSEU claim Labour Min. yet to facilitate same despite request and jettisoning of NLAC tripartite process 
• Alleges Govt, move to control TUs by muzzling protest actions via enactment of Ranil-era rejected reforms 

The Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees Union (FTZ and GSEU) stated that while trade unions (TUs) have requested an opportunity to meet the expert committee that is currently drafting the proposed labour law reforms, the Ministry of Labour is yet to facilitate such a discussion.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Trade Union's General Secretary Anton Marcus said that although the Minister of Labour (Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando) agreed during the recent National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) meeting to allow TUs to meet with the said expert committee, that opportunity has not yet been granted.

“Our view is that there is no need for expert committees. The NLAC is the recognised tripartite social dialogue forum, represented by employers, TUs, and the Labour Ministry. It is through this body that labour law reforms should be drafted. But instead, they have been handed over to this committee, and we don’t know what is happening.”

He explained that when the previous Government led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe attempted to introduce a single comprehensive labour Bill bringing together all related labour laws, the TUs had opposed it. “Now, the current Government is planning to bring the same legislation, only divided into four separate Bills,” he claimed.

Marcus further claimed that one of the Government’s aims through the proposed reforms is to gain control over TUs. “For instance, the previous draft proposed that any TU strike or action must be approved through a secret ballot conducted by officials of the Labour Department. That gives the Government control over what TUs can do. We believe that this Government intends to include the same clause again.”

Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe was not available for comment.

During a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour Affairs, it was revealed that a 17-member committee has been appointed to study the reform of 14 existing labour laws. The committee has agreed to draft four main Bills covering TUs, labour, occupational safety, and the termination of employment. Necessary amendments will also be made to the laws on women working at night, labour protection, and employee insurance upon the termination of employment.