A collective representing employees who opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has condemned a recent token strike launched by several trade unions, describing the industrial action as illegal.
In a letter addressed to the Minister in charge of Energy, the VRS Employees’ Collective stated that the trade union action violated existing laws and regulations governing essential services.
The group claimed the strike was unsuccessful despite alleged threats issued by certain union leaders, noting that fewer than 25 percent of employees had participated. It emphasized that its members had been instructed not to engage in any activity aimed at disrupting the ongoing reform process at the CEB or supporting what it described as politically motivated agendas against the government.
According to the collective, none of its members took part in the token strike, and it reaffirmed that they would not participate in any future actions intended to obstruct reforms.
The group also urged the Energy Minister not to be influenced by union pressure and called for the final phase of the reform process to be expedited through the gazetting of the designated date, citing national interest.
Additionally, the collective requested that if there is any delay in gazetting the relevant date, employees be permitted to take approved unpaid leave until the process is completed, the letter stated.