TUs want reduction ofworkers from manpower agencies

Some 12 leading trade unions attached to the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAD) have called for an end or reduction in the recruitment of contract workers supplied by job agencies, in a bid to stamp out exploitation.

In a joint appeal, the trade unions, including pro-ruling party union, have called upon President Mahinda Rajapaksa to give serious thought to this issue since such contract or casual workers were deprived of their legitimate rights such as the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Employees Trust Fund (ETF) and other benefits enjoyed by other workers in the permanent category.

The TUs charge that certain powerful persons in the Treasury believe that this country needs an unregulated labour force to attract foreign investment but such labour lacks stability and responsibility and has no price advantage in the present global market.

“We therefore have to position our products as products that come from manufacturing lines that honour and respect decent work and therefore as products are clean. We should be able to say our products come from factories where labour is being organised according to the national programme based on principles adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO),” the trade unions have stated in a letter to the President.

The letter further draws attention to hired labour provided to factories on daily pay and on casual basis by manpower agencies.

“Labour hired to work in production and other service sectors which usually have permanent employment, is not considered the responsibility of factory owners.”

The TUs have also warned that hired labour from manpower agencies also threaten permanent employment. At present such labour is often hired for permanent positions in the private banking and State sectors thus reducing the opportunity for permanent employment.