Blackout Strike Threat Looms: CEB Unions Demand Government's Promise Fulfillment
Electricity trade unions have issued a stark warning, threatening a strike without prior notice if the government proceeds with dissolving the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) without honoring the promises made during the restructuring process. This move could potentially plunge the country into darkness, as 24 electricity trade unions, including the Engineers' Association, Technical Engineers and Officers' Association, and the Industrial Technicians' Association, are poised to join the action.
The restructuring plan, meticulously crafted, envisions the establishment of six subsidiary companies to replace the CEB, with assets, liabilities, responsibilities, and operations allocated accordingly. This framework has been finalized under the watchful eyes of the Attorney General, the Minister of Finance, and the Treasury, ensuring a thorough and transparent process.
However, the unions are concerned that the government's commitment to their demands may be wavering. They argue that the dissolution of the CEB should not be finalized until the promises made during the restructuring, such as job security and improved working conditions, are fulfilled. The unions have been vocal about their concerns, emphasizing the potential impact on the country's power supply and the livelihoods of the affected workers.
The government, on the other hand, is expected to gazette the date of the CEB's official dissolution once Cabinet approval is granted. This move, while necessary for the restructuring process, has sparked tensions between the government and the unions, leaving the country on the brink of a potential blackout strike. The unions' demand for the government to uphold its promises is a critical aspect of the restructuring process, and their willingness to take drastic action highlights the complexity of the situation.
