Trade unions of the Ceylon Electricity Board have decided to intensify their ongoing trade union action by expanding the work-to-rule campaign.

Accordingly, from midnight yesterday, all production-related activities have been halted. 

The campaign will continue for the 18th day, today.

Speaking to the media, Koshala Abeysinghe, Chairman of the CEB Technical Officers’ Union, said that the third phase of the work-to-rule campaign commenced from midnight yesterday.

He added that trade union leaders will meet at noon today to decide on the next steps.

He also noted that discussions will also focus on further intensifying the campaign and reviewing possible government responses.

A total of 25 trade unions, including the CEB Engineers’ Union, aligned with opposition political parties, have been engaged in various forms of trade union action in recent days. 

These included sick leave protests, work-to-rule campaigns, and demonstrations.

The unions are making 24 key demands, mainly tied to securing benefits during the restructuring process of the CEB. 

Under the recently approved Electricity Act, the CEB is to be restructured into four state-owned companies.

Key demands of the protesters include:

-Granting overdue promotions and salary arrears.

-Adding the Rs. 10,000 allowance, paid temporarily as a salary component, to the basic salary from December 31, 2023.

-Implementing a 25% salary increase, effective from January 1, 2024, along with arrears.

-Removing the Rs. 5 million cap on compensation paid under the voluntary retirement scheme.

-Appointing directors to represent employees.

-Entering into agreements covering wages, allowances, incentives, and all monetary and non-monetary benefits, and 

-Granting a 50% increase in the basic salary.

In an effort to address the issues, CEB Chairman Professor Udayanga Hemapala, together with senior officials, called for discussions with all registered trade unions.

Although 42 trade unions are registered with the CEB, only seven participated in the talks.