Dockers in Sri Lanka win pay deal

Dockers in the Sri Lankan port of Colombo ended industrial action this week after a pay deal was negotiated.

The dockers, represented by a trade union alliance including ITF-affiliates and employed at the state-run Jaya Container Terminal, won the settlement on 16 November. The Sri Lanka ports authority agreed to give the workers a wage rise of 3,000 rupees (US$64) per month – this includes 1000 rupees (US$21) in basic pay and 2000 rupees (US$43) in allowances. Work-to-rule action, which began on 12 November, severely delayed activities in the port and caused two vessels to be diverted. Mahendra Sharma, ITF Asia Pacific regional secretary, commented: “We congratulate the Sri Lankan port workers on their victory and their unity.”

Dockers in the Sri Lankan port of Colombo ended industrial action this week after a pay deal was negotiated.

The dockers, represented by a trade union alliance including ITF-affiliates and employed at the state-run Jaya Container Terminal, won the settlement on 16 November. The Sri Lanka ports authority agreed to give the workers a wage rise of 3,000 rupees (US$64) per month – this includes 1000 rupees (US$21) in basic pay and 2000 rupees (US$43) in allowances. Work-to-rule action, which began on 12 November, severely delayed activities in the port and caused two vessels to be diverted. Mahendra Sharma, ITF Asia Pacific regional secretary, commented: “We congratulate the Sri Lankan port workers on their victory and their unity.”