Several trade unions representing government officers engaged in disaster relief operations have decided to withdraw from relief duties and launch a trade union action starting Friday (Feb. 27), the unions said.
The decision was announced in a joint statement issued by the All Ceylon Disaster Relief Services Trade Union, the Technical Officers’ Trade Union, and associations representing Grama Niladhari (GN) Officers’ Trade Unions.
The unions said more than 93 days have passed since the widespread disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, during which disaster relief officers and Grama Niladharis have worked continuously, day and night, serving as key coordinators between the government and affected communities.
They said technical officers have also played a critical role at the field level by preparing assessments and estimates required for compensation and relief payments related to disaster response.
Despite these efforts, the unions said the government has failed to give adequate attention to unresolved issues affecting officers involved in disaster relief work. As a result, they said a collective trade union action was unavoidable. (NewsWire)
