Honour pledges or face consequences, dons tell govt.

November 9, 2012, 10:28 pm , The Island


The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) yesterday urged the government to honour the agreements reached consequent to negotiations between FUTA and the government or face the consequences.

FUTA President Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri, in a letter to Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, dated Nov. 7, accused the government of failing to honour the agreements, though FUTA had suspended trade union action on Oct. 12. The FUTA chief sought a clarification from Minister Rajapaksa as regards the status of the implementation of the agreements.

Full text of Dr. Dewasiri’s letter: "As you know, the FUTA’s decision to suspend its trade union action from Oct 12 was made in good faith and was based on several agreements reached during the negotiations conducted with government officials, including yourself and the Treasury. These agreements were communicated through:

1. The note to the Cabinet and the Cabinet decisions taken on 29th September 2012 Matters pertaining to Education and Higher Education.

2. A letter dated, 9th October 2012 from the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance and Planning.

3. Letter dated 10th October 2012 from the secretary to the ministry of higher education regarding payment of unpaid salaries for the period of the trade union action.

4. Letter dated 10th October 2012, from the. Minister of Higher Education, pledging to refrain from taking any punitive action against University academics who took part in the trade union action.

5. The joint Press Statement between the government and the FUTA issued on 12th October 2012.

However, it is with grave concern that we note the following:

1. The validity and the very existence of the joint statement have been questioned by sections of the government and several Vice-Chancellors. Several Vice Chancellors have stated that they are unaware of such an agreement and therefore are not bound to adhere to any agreements (such as the agreement to conduct a special senate and a meeting with all academics).

2. The agreement that circulars named by the FUTA would be rescinded as soon as academics return to work has not been honoured. Instead, a committee has been appointed by the UGC to look into this matter. This action by the UGC is a total violation of the agreement between the government and the FUTA.

3. Academics have not been paid their salaries in full for July, August and September 2012 as promised by the aforesaid letter by the minister of higher education. For example, allowances and salaries of several heads of department’s and academics who had held acting posts are yet to be paid.

Under these circumstances, we are compelled to question the sincerity of the government in honouring its publicly made commitments to FUTA at the time of suspension of the trade union action. Thus, we kindly request you to clarify the status of the implementation of the said agreements and the validity of the documents referred above that express the government’s commitment.

We would also like to point out that we are closely monitoring the situation and that weare very disappointed and disturbed with the government’s apparent lack of sincerity. Thus, the FUTA will be compelled to review its decision to suspend trade union action in the weeks to come unless there is progress from the side of the government with regard to implementing the agreements it reached during the negotiations with the FUTA.

I kindly request you to look into these concerns in order to avoid unnecessary consequences.