Sri Lanka, Feb. 24 -- The Railway Department has reportedly taken steps to reduce the disaster loan amount granted to railway employees, sparking strong opposition from trade unions.
According to union representatives, the current government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had proposed in the last national budget to increase the disaster loan facility for public sector employees from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000.
However, trade unions allege that the General Manager of Railways has moved to limit the approved loan amount to Rs. 275,000, effectively reducing the relief expected by railway employees in times of disaster.
Union officials claim that this decision contradicts the amount approved by Parliament and deprives railway employees of the full benefit granted under the budget proposal.
In response, railway trade unions have initiated discussions with other unions within the department to determine future action. They warn that strict trade union measures could be taken by uniting the entire railway workforce if the issue is not resolved promptly.
The union has also sent a letter to the President outlining their concerns over the matter. Copies of the letter addressed to the President and the correspondence indicating the reduction of the disaster loan amount by the Railway General Manager have been released.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.