“Rights
of workers would be safe only when the rights of the communities they belong
to are protected” – President
[April 30, 2003 - 10.15 GMT]
“The workers' rights
are indivisibly connected with the democratic rights of all ethnic and
religious groups, their human rights and their freedoms,” says President
Chandrika Kumaratunga in a message to mark the May Day.
“In Sri Lanka
workers of all ethnic communities face a common challenge of safe guarding
their rights. The rights of workers would be safe only when the rights of
the communities they belong to are protected,” President says.
She also notes that
the final aim of the current peace process should also be “the protection
of the rights of all of Sri Lanka’s working people”.
Full
text of the message:
The First of May is
International Workers' Day and it commemorates the historic struggle of the
working people throughout the world. On this May Day I extend my good wishes
to the workers in Sri Lanka.
Over the years Sri
Lanka’s working class has collectively and effectively won several
privileges and defended its rights. In today’s atmosphere of Globalization
and the consequence need to restructure industry, workers the World over
seem apprehensive and concerned about the continuity of the rights they have
won through years of struggle.
Here in Sri Lanka
privatization that is not planned and the ad hoc disposal of national assets
are bound to affect workers’ rights and seriously threaten their security
of tenure. A large number of workers have lost their jobs due to political
victimization and various other types of unjust and unfair treatment. In
addition, in the recent past unemployment has spiralled. Cost of living has
risen. Salaries have not been increased to match the escalating cost of
living. All these are serious problems faced by the working people of Sri
Lanka.
In Sri Lanka workers
of all ethnic communities face a common challenge of safe guarding their
rights. The rights of workers would be safe only when the rights of the
communities they belong to are protected.
The workers' rights
are indivisibly connected with the democratic rights of all ethnic and
religious groups, their human rights and their freedoms. The final aim of
the current peace process should also be the protection of the rights of all
of Sri Lanka’s working people.
It is my fervent wish
is that on this Labour Day the working people of this country will have the
strength courage and wisdom to face the modern day challenges in their work
places.
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Last Updated
Date: April 30, 2003 - 10.15
GMT. |
