• NLAC pushes right to unionise, collective bargaining  
• New TUs registering but decline in workers joining 
• Unionist claims problem acute in semi-Govt and pvt sectors 

Claiming that only around 9 per cent of Sri Lanka’s workforce are members of trade unions (TUs), National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) member and trade unionist Anton Marcus said the Government should focus on protecting the workers’ right to join unions instead of concentrating on changes such as the proposed reforms to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF).

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Marcus, who is also the General Secretary of the Free Trade Zones and General Services Employees’ Union, said that while new TUs are being registered, there has been a decline in workers joining unions in recent times. "This is mainly due to the treatment faced by workers after becoming union members, particularly in the semi-Government and private sectors. Certain TUs that work with political motives should accept some responsibility for the situation too."

He further said that society had also developed an incorrect image of TUs, with unions portrayed as groups that make demands and resort to strikes. “There is an image created in society that TUs are people who make demands and go on strike. That is not correct. Semi-Government and private sector employees very rarely go on strike. Strikes take place in the State sector, and even that doesn’t happen now."

"The decline in TUs membership is not due to workers having no need for TUs. They could face various forms of harassment after joining a union, including being subjected to reprisals and transfers. Once an employee joins a TU, they have to face various forms of harassment. The freedom to join TUs is guaranteed by the Constitution, but workers don’t enjoy that right in practice. The Government should pay more attention to the protection of TU rights and the workers’ ability to organise, instead of focusing on unnecessary reforms such as merging the EPF and the ETF." Marcus said.

Deputy Labour Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe and Labour Ministry Secretary R M Piyatissa were not available for comment.

His comments come amid the Government’s plans to examine a unified governance framework for the EPF and the ETF under a tripartite structure involving the Government, the employers and employees. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the appointment of a Senior Officials’ Committee in June to examine the feasibility of bringing the functions of the two Funds under such a framework.