CEB TU action called off

Ridma DISSANAYAKE, Sandasen MARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Joint Trade Union Alliance yesterday called off trade union action after the CEB management decided to reinstate the 121 employees who were on probation and interdicted on July 4.

The employees had supported the trade union action launched by certain trade unions of the Board last month. The management also agreed to cancel the no pay leave granted to all employees who supported the trade union action by some trade unions of the CEB last month.

According to Trade Union Alliance Committee member Ranjan Jayalal, CEB authorities had agreed to solve the employees’ salary issue. Meanwhile, Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka told Parliament yesterday,

CEB employees received a higher salary compared to other institutions, and their salaries will not be increased by 45 percent as demanded. CEB workers’ salaries are increased every three years and this year too it was increased by 25 percent, the minister said. The increment is given, taking into consideration the inflation rate and salaries paid to employees of other institutions, he said.

The minister said: “There is no way that a 45 percent pay hike for CEB employees could be justified. A trainee labourer with A-L qualifications at the CEB draws a basic salary of Rs 25,000 a month. “Even a government medical officer is paid only Rs 29,000 a month.

The trade union action of CEB workers is not based on the cost of living, but motivated by a political cause.” The minister said the CEB has done its duty by the workers. “Electricity is an essential service and no one could be allowed to sabotage it,” the minister said in response to a question raised by UNP Colombo district MP Ravi Karunanayake.