BBS sets sights on trade unions

Wednesday, 3 September 2014 00:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaatte Gnanasara Thera yesterday said that it was the right time for the BBS to enter into trade union sector and to influence them to act according to the Buddhist teachings. The Thera said that as an initiative they would assist health sector trade unions. “We decided to first start with the health sector. We will interact with trade unions at the grass root level because they are the factions that know the real situation of the health sector,” he told a news conference yesterday.

He said trade unions had become victims of political parties today and that they were no longer contributing to the welfare of the workers and the general public. “There have been incidents where union leaders had achieved some of their demands which are commendable. But today trade unions seem to have no interest in their members or the public,” he said. The Thera also said the strikes carried out by health sector trade unions keeping patients at ransom were unacceptable. He charged that the Health Minister had appointed unqualified people to the health sector. “We will make provisions to train unqualified employees and look into their welfare. We will also appoint a Buddhist monk in selected trade unions to influence them,” he said.