Sanitation workers in Sri Lanka’s north are disappointed about authorities not being sensitive to the former’s rights despite their untiring efforts to create a clean country with no garbage.
Holding a press briefing at the Jaffna Press Club a day before the International Workers’ Day, former Northern Province Sanitation Workers’ Association President Ashirwadam Johnson said that even those who reached the country’s highest positions with trade union backing have denied workers’ rights once in office.
“We have been defeated. Our rights are denied. Even a letter demanding our rights gets rejected. Every President in this country came to power through trade unions. However, the situation is such that once they become the country’s leaders, they tend to deny workers’ rights.”
During his speech, he has cautioned about the risk of workers falling ill in future due to the responsible parties not providing adequate personal protective equipment to sanitation workers.
“Although workers should wear protective clothing while on duty, there is a lack of access to such clothing. There is a possibility that workers would fall ill in future. While on duty, they should wear their uniform, shoes and hand gloves. Authorities and the government should pay attention to this concern.”
Johnson further remarked that the government should intervene in order to give workers their due.
“There are workers who work on the streets and in various other places. Some work in the public sector, while some work in the private sector. The government must give us what is due to us. Our salaries should be increased. We keep working even during an economic crisis; but, our salaries have not been increased.”
