Over 75 trade unionists and international visitors attended a conference organised by the Free Trade Union Centre in Sri Lanka, which debated the way forward for workers in that country following the protests of 2022, which saw the removal from office of President Gotobaya Rajapaksa, and what will follow the presidential elections on 21 September. It also discussed how Sri Lankan trade unionists could build solidarity internationally.
The chairperson of the meeting, Srinath Perera, opened the meeting and introduced the visitors from around the globe, including two branch secretaries from Unite the Union in Britain, Jon Dale from Nottinghamshire Health branch and Kevin Parslow from Waltham Forest Council branch, and trade unionists from India and Malaysia. Solidarity messages were received from Carmel Gates, general secretary of the Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA), from the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) in Britain, and from Austin Harney of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), who had to withdraw from attending the meeting at the last minute.
The conference agreed that the main target of whoever wins the presidential election will be attacks on workers and unions, so all workers should prepare for such attacks. The meeting committed to defending workers’ rights as a minimum agreed point of struggle.
Tony Saunois gave greetings from the CWI to the conference and stressed the importance of international working-class solidarity but also how now, oppressed workers around the world are getting involved in struggle, through trade unions, strikes, etc.
It will be important to raise resolutions of solidarity though trade union conferences in Britain, and other countries round the world.
An Ansell worker talked about the importance of international solidarity and building international links, as trade unionists in Britain had supported their fight against victimisation and exploitation of workers involved in the PPE chain during the Covid lockdown.
The trade unionists from Britain explained the issues facing trade unionists with a new Labour government and that it will be important for the trade union leaders to organise struggle when that government takes anti-working class measures.
Qira from Malaysia warned of the dangers of racism in countries where the working class does not lead a fightback. This was concretised by Kevin, who mentioned the far-right riots that had taken place in England this summer and how trade unions had been involved in repelling the threat.
A Ceylon Bank Employees Union representative explained the problems facing workers is a crisis of the system of neoliberalism. He pointed out that, of 8 million workers in Sri Lanka only 1 million are in unions. However, the unions could lead the way.
Robert Francis from the Ceylon Estate workers union, whose members pick tea, referred to conditions of estate workers under the control of three big capitalist companies and struggles to win wage increases. He also explained the battles they have taken on service conditions agreements.
A statement was generally agreed, with one or two suggested amendments, to take forward and campaign around.
Representatives of the following unions took part in the meeting:
Ceylon Bank Employees Union
Telecommunications All Employees Union
Free Trade Zone and General Employees Union
Ceylon Estate Staff Union
Working Journalists Association
Ceylon Mercantile Industrial and General Workers Union
Sri Lanka Jathika Guru Sangamaya (National Union of Teachers)
Post and Telecommunications Officers Union
Workers Struggle Centre
United General Workers Union
Lanka Education Services Union
Progressive Samurdhi Employees Union
Textile Garment and Clothing Workers Union
Lanka Electricity General Workers Union
Inter-University Trade Union Federation
Free and General Service Workers Union
Protect Union
Dabindu Collective (defending women workers’ rights in free trade zones)
Progressive Teachers Union
