Govt. planning to curb trade unions – CTU chairman

A leading unionist has warned that trade union activists would face intimidations in a manner similar to the threats issued to two media rights leaders by the Defence Secretary recently.

Joseph Stalin, who is Chairman of the Ceylon Teachers Union and National Organizer of the Trade Unions Federation, called on trade unions in all sectors to unite and counter this threat.

Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo today (June 02nd), he said, "Minister Champika Ranawaka, who is also the National Organizer of a key government affiliate party, has said that a 'red mafia' was raising its head. That was a clear reference to trade unions and leftist groups."

"It is because of the government's war that the cost of living has gone up so high. Minister Ranawaka knows that the people will take to the streets against this situation. So, he is talking about a trade union mafia and trying to brand trade unionists as traitors and clamp down on the public outcry against hunger and all forms of suppression," he alleged.

The CTU Chairman reiterated that the ethnic conflict needed a political solution, after an immediate halt to war and a resumption of negotiations.

A massive work stoppage by the entire working class will protest the war and call for concessions to the people, Mr. Stalin said.

President of the Posts and Telecommunications Trade Union Nawaratne Banda demanded the government to halt the war, if it results in high commodity prices.

"People are not prepared to bear up any longer. We are prepared to take to the streets with the working class if the government does not solve the people's problem," Co-President of the Trade Unions Federation Ravi Kumudesh said.

"We want to make it clear to the government that we oppose the war. We are saying that the people of the north and the east should be given the power.

He too, accused the present regime of attempting to clamp down on the working class, and said that they would take to the streets with the people to show their protest.