CWI reporters
Over 75 trade unionists and international visitors attended a conference organised by the Free Trade Union Centre in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The conference debated the way forward for workers in Sri Lanka following the protests which saw the removal from office of President Gotobaya Rajapaksa in 2022, and what will follow the presidential elections on 21 September. It also discussed how Sri Lankan trade unionists could build solidarity internationally.
The chairperson, Srinath Perera, opened the meeting and introduced 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, as well as 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 to the conference from the Committee for a Workers’ International (CWI) and stressed the importance of international working-class solidarity, but also how 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 that the problem 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) and the Progressive Teachers Union
