“Govt. is involved in economic exhibition, not development”

Democratic National Alliance (DNA) Parliamentary Group Leader and Janatha Vimukthi (JVP) front-liner Anura Kumara Dissanayaka asserts that the Government’s decision to withdraw the private pension scheme shows the political bankruptcy of the Rajapaksa regime.

Describing the private pension scheme as a poison pill in a candy wrapper, Dissanayaka warns that they are closely watching the Government and its moves to make sure it will not try to bring back the same bill once again.

He further states that the struggle of the trade unions would have been more powerful if it had received proper political leadership.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

Q: Why did you oppose the proposed private pension scheme?

A: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had ordered the Government to increase private sector investments from 19% to 23%. Although the Government came up with numerous concessions to boost private sector investments, they were unable to attract investments up to their expectations.

It is no secret that the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) is the biggest fund in Sri Lanka. There is over Rs. 950 billion in the EPF and the Employees’ Trust Fund has over Rs. 110 billion. The proposed private pension scheme was introduced to pull money from these funds. It wasn’t for the love of the private sector worker as the Government claims. In simple terms this private pension scheme is like a poison pill in a candy wrapper. This was the reason why the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) as a party was against the private pension scheme.

Q: There has been a long cry for a private pension scheme. When the present Government finally proposed one, the entire private sector was up in arms against it. Does that mean there is no need for a pension scheme?

A: The JVP strongly believes that there should be a pension scheme for the private sector. There is no doubt about that. We very well know the plight of garment factory workers who stitch dozens of dresses every day but don’t have more than two dresses of their own. We know the suffering of the workers in tyre factories who can’t afford a bicycle. They all shed their sweat to bring money to the country.

The effort of the private sector is a social endeavour and therefore it is the responsibility of the country to look after them. We have to make sure that they have some security in the latter part of their lives. This is why it is important to introduce some kind of social security programme. But what Government proposed does not fulfil any of this. They were least bothered about the private sector but more concerned about ways to collect funds.

Q: Nowhere in the world have we seen a pension scheme initiated with Government funds. Then why do you insist on the government doing so?

A: It is vital that the private sector employees contribute to the fund when implementing a pension scheme. Otherwise we will be unable to keep a record of the workers. Meanwhile, the employers too need to contribute to the fund. It is also important that the Government too contributes in some way.

We are not saying that the Government should put all the money. What they could do is contribute at least 1% of their tax revenue. If we recall, a similar pension scheme was introduced for the farmers several years ago and it is inactive today. If we went ahead with the proposed pension scheme the outcome would have been the same.

Q: The Government openly criticises the JVP for the chaos that took place in Katunayake. Your comments?

A: The most effective and powerful trade union of the private sector is the Inter Company Employees’ Union (ICEU). The ICEU is led by the JVP. The ICEU along with other trade unions warned the Government that they were against the proposed pension scheme. Head of the ICEU Wasantha Samarasinghe made a special statement that the Government should act fast and take a decision about the bill without letting industrial peace be disturbed.

However, during the last few days the Government made every effort to get this bill through. Members of the Government visited the FTZ workers and tried to promote the pension scheme. Minister Maithripala Sirisena said the Government would somehow implement the 0pension scheme. On 30 May Minister Susil Premajayanth too said that they would not withdraw the bill. Such acts of the Government created unease among the FTZ workers. But now they are saying it was the JVP who created chaos.

There were bullets fallen inside factory premises. Four of the damaged factories are unable to reopen due to the massive destruction caused. The female workers were assaulted in a cruel and inhumane way. This entire attack proves how furious the Government was. And it is sad that after everything the Government is trying to pin the blame on the JVP.

Q: Do you take responsibility for the death of the FTZ worker?

A: The bullet that killed that innocent worker was released by a weapon that belonged to the Government. Who ordered the Police officer to shoot the worker? It was the Inspector General of Police. Who instructed the IGP to shoot and assault the protestors? It was the Government. So it is very clear that the Government was very much involved in this incident. The IGP has clearly said that he takes the responsibility and as a result he resigned from his post. Isn’t it a joke that the Government is still trying to point fingers at the JVP?

Q: Apart from the protests, what did the JVP do as a party at the funeral of the FTZ worker?

A: A funeral in this country is an emotional event. We too believed that we should not disturb the family members and must let them pay their last respects to their lost one according to their wish. Therefore, the JVP was heavily involved in the funeral. But we will continue to pressurise the Government until they do justice to Roshane Chanaka’s family.

Q: The Government has finally responded to your demands and withdrawn the controversial private pension bill. What would be your next step?

A: This was the first time the Government had to experience such defeat. All these years the Rajapaksa regime managed to achieve all its targets and goals through dictatorship means. Its decision to withdraw the bill clearly proves the political bankruptcy of this Government. The ‘baton brigade’ of the Government is proof that the Rajapaksa administration is enraged about their defeat. The State-owned media is in a pathetic effort to whitewash the Government.

They may have said that the bill will be withdrawn. But what guarantee do we have that they will keep their promise? The bill has still not been taken off from the Order Book of Parliament. We are closely watching the Government and its moves. We will not let them come up with the same bill again.

Q: What do you have to say about the collective agreement signed between the plantation trade unions and the Regional Plantation Companies?

A: Today a labourer earns Rs. 800 a day. But how much does a plantation worker get? Can a man survive with an income of Rs. 380 a day? These people spend most of their money on food. With the soaring cost of living they find it difficult to fulfil their basic requirements.

The Government boasts of developing the country. Visit a line room and see what development is there. These people even don’t know the meaning of the word ‘development’. It is like these people live in a different part of the world.

They rarely have all three meals a day. Their children don’t go to schools and suffer from malnutrition. In such situation can we wash our hands off saying the Rs. 380 a day is more than sufficient? We are totally against this agreement. We will make every effort to secure a more meaningful income for the plantation worker.

Q: You accuse that by signing the agreement the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) betrayed the rights of plantation workers. Don’t you feel such resolution was better for the country’s economy than causing destruction through trade union activities?

A: Resolution without destruction may be good for the economy. But what is the point of having a smooth run economy if half of the country is in hunger? What is the point of having an undisturbed economy if our children are deprived of the right to education? And the majority of the children suffer from malnutrition? Is this the development we want to achieve? If these workers were given a reasonable wage both the economy and the workers would be much better.

Q: We see a sudden rise in the power of trade unions. What do you think is the reason behind this sudden change?

A: Well it’s a good move but I don’t believe it is a sudden move. When the Government defeated terrorism two years back the people in this country got into the streets. They celebrated the war victory as if it was their personal triumph. They were happy that the war was over and they were overjoyed because they wanted to see the country developed. But after two years what has happened? The cost of living is intolerable. People don’t have money in their hands to fulfil their basic requirements.

People are now realising the Government is unable to deliver what was expected from them. We can’t expect each and every individual to agitate against the misconduct of this Government. But when there are opportunities to get together, people won’t hesitate to raise their voice against the present regime. It’s the people’s dislike towards the Government that is witnessed through the rise of the trade unions.

Q: The resurgence of trade unions took place without the backing of the JVP. Don’t you think the JVP is now trying to steal the credit for the strong union power?

A: People can come with various allegations against us. As a policy we don’t fire back at such baseless allegations. But it is no secret that the most powerful trade union in the private sector is the ICEU, which is backed by the JVP. The ICEU has fought and will continue to fight for the rights of the working class in this country and we don’t need credit for that. We believe it is our responsibility to be a voice for the people in the country. Let them point fingers or call us names, but they cannot stop us from doing our duty.

Q: Don’t you think a proper political leadership would have made the struggle of the trade unions more powerful?

A: Definitely, the end result would have been more powerful if the unionists had political guidance. It is no secret that the main opposition United National Party is not bothered about the true suffering of the working class in this country. If not it should have played a much stronger role in the struggle against the pension scheme. But without pointing fingers or putting the blame at other political parties, the JVP is continuing to fight for the rights of the people.

I believe if all the political parties work together we could easily fight against the misconduct of the Government. Didn’t we pressure the Government until it withdrew the pension scheme? If we work together with a clear vision it wouldn’t be too difficult to overpower the dictatorship rule of the Government.

Q: Do you agree that lack of visionary political leadership to the struggle was mainly due to the weakening opposition?

A: The UNP is deteriorating day by day and I believe that it will soon lose whatever little admiration it owned as a political party over the years. It is pathetic that the main opposition of this country which should be up in arms fighting against the misconduct and malpractice of the ruling Government is engaged in a petty internal battle to secure positions in their own party.

I want to make one thing clear – the UNP is one of the main culprits for the reigning of the Rajapaksa administration. People in this country would not suffer so much if the UNP was able to fulfil its duties as the main opposition. If all the political parties work closely with each other and forget about the petty differences between us, we could easily defeat this autocratic Government.

Q: The Government is at the helm of power with a two-thirds majority in Parliament and could easily buy over more opposition members if it requires. In such a situation do you think the struggles and protests are of any use?

A: The international political activities that took place during the recent past clearly proves that what matters the most is people’s power more than the number of people in Parliament. This theory is applicable to all the countries in the world. If the Government feels it is untouchable because it has a two-thirds majority, then it is mistaken.

The power of the people made the Government withdraw the pension bill, which we believe as a defeat of the Government that clearly shows it is politically bankrupt. The Government is losing its popularity and this is the time the opposition parties should get together and raise a voice for the people without a voice. Unfortunately, like you said, the Government can buy over people because there are individuals who are happy to market themselves for mere personal gains. Like I mentioned before, the division of the opposition helps the Government to remain in power.

Q: Is it acceptable to accuse the Government when it is in the midst of carrying out major development projects such as the expressways, flyover bridges, power stations, ports, town planning and so on?

A: If development is all about removing parapet walls in Colombo and placing flower pots all around the city, then this Government is doing a marvellous job. More than economic development, this Government is involved in an economic exhibition. The Government has mixed up its priorities. It is important that it realises what its priorities should be. It claims it has spent billions on the Hambantota Port. This port was mainly for bunkering. But what did this Government do? It handed over bunkering to an Indian company. After spending huge amounts of money, the Hambantota Port is abandoned without commencing commercial activities. Isn’t it an economic exhibition? Hasn’t the Government got its priorities mixed up?

Q: JVP Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe is hardly seen in the political scene or involved in party activities. Why is this?

A: It’s true that he cannot be seen in public rallies or media briefings. He was away attending several events organised by leftist organisations. But the party receives his direction and guidance as and when it requires.

Q: What will Sarath Fonseka’s future be?

A: As long as the Rajapaksas remain in power, Sarath Fonseka will have no future. The king’s law has become the only law in this country. So until this Government is out of power, it is very unlikely that Sarath Fonseka will ever be free.