Statement of the Socialist Equality Party Sri Lanka, January 18, 2012
Workers at the Welioya and Bogawantalawa tea estates are engaged in a fight against an attempt by management, assisted by the unions, to increase productivity targets.
As the unions scramble to curb FTZ protests, the Nava Sama Samaja Party is desperately trying to revive the illusion that the union leaders will defend the rights of workers.
More than 200 workers were injured and about 100 arrested in a police and military assault on workers protesting against the government’s pension bill.
The walkout, in defiance of the trade unions, was a clear sign of growing discontent throughout the working class over the government’s escalating attacks on living standards.
Plantation workers on poverty-level wages and conditions are confronting another betrayal by the trade unions which are already collaborating with employers to impose another pay sell-out.
Following a strike by garment workers at the Bratex undergarment factory, 38 workers were retrenched and five are facing court later this month on trumped up charges.
