Trade Unions object to court involvement 
   

By Zahra Imtiaz- Friday, 29 Nov 2013


The Government, Semi- Government and Private Trade Unions Collective Committee has voiced its objections against the involvement of the courts with regard to Trade Union issues, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union Joseph Stalin stated during a media briefing today.


Stalin who was representing the Government, Semi- Government and Private Trade Unions Collective Committee said that protesting was a fundamental right and the government should not involve the courts and take away the rights of the people.


Stalin made these remarks with regard to an interim order issued by the Colombo District Court yesterday (27) preventing the 48 hour strike organized by the Health Services Trade Union Alliance, urging the Health Ministry to fulfil various demands put forward by the Unions.


The order was issued following a petition filed against the strike by a patient.


Joseph Stalin went on to say that around 40 Unions were engaged in the strike action, which was a token strike, adding that the government should not have gone to the extent of involving the courts in this issue.


He stated that due notice had been given with regard to the strike, while attempts had also been made by the Unions to hold discussions with the Ministry of health in this regard.

Stalin added that this action by the government is a violation of their rights and added that courts cannot interfere in issues faced by the Trade Unions as per Article 12 of the Labour Law. (Ceylon Today Online)