Grievances of hardworking men and women

The International Workers’ Day, which is dedicated to remembering the historical sacrifices and efforts of the working class, is celebrated today worldwide. The origins of May Day go back to the labour movement of the late 19th century in the United States. On 1 May in 1886, thousands of workers across the US went on strike, demanding an eight-hour workday. The demonstrations in Chicago were marred with violence which led to the deaths of several people.

This year though, May Day celebration in Sri Lanka is expected to become subdued and gentle due to several reasons. The ruling NPP – the most powerful political movement in the country – has decided to celebrate the event district-wise due to the fuel crisis. The main Opposition, the SJB, will only hold a rally without having a procession. On the other hand, the SLPP and UNP will not be organising any events and instead they would be holding religious observances of the Vesak Poya Day.

Routinely, in Sri Lanka, the only day of the year which is allocated towards reflecting on the issues faced by the working class as well as their struggles and sacrifices are hijacked by political parties to demonstrate their strength and convey their political views. Scant or very little attention is paid towards the plight of workers while the political rhetoric dominates the day, thereby undermining the purpose of May Day. The media too is keen on covering political issues instead of highlighting the critical issues faced by the working class.

The grievances faced by the estate workers – one of the most severely mistreated groups of labourers in the island – are often ignored even on May Day. Workers in the tea industry generally live in squalid conditions with paltry wages that fail to provide an income which is sufficient to meet daily living. Some have even termed the treatment of plantation workers in Sri Lanka as Modern Slavery. As a matter of fact, families of Indian Tamil estate workers have the lowest living standards in the country, however, the leaders of the political parties who champion their cause enjoy first-class, opulent lifestyles and send their children either to India or England for schooling.

Another emerging issue faced by employees across the globe is workplace stress and finding a proper work-life balance. According to a report released last week by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), over 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to psychosocial risks at work, including long working hours, job insecurity, workplace harassment, and bullying. The study titled - The Psychosocial Working Environment: Global Developments and Pathways for Action - emphasises that long working hours, a critical psychosocial risk factor associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, remain widespread. The ILO estimates globally, 35% of workers work more than 48 hours per week.

Long working hours and toxic working environments remain critical issues affecting white-collar workers in Sri Lanka who silently undergo and bear their suffering. 

In the 21st century, psychological impairments employees undergo due to workplace-related issues have dominated the social discourse, necessitating HR professionals and policymakers to show concern and attention. Sri Lanka has been judged by many as a country where HR practices are quite poor, and this could be one of the reasons behind the massive brain drain the nation has encountered in contemporary history.

If HR practices remain weak and the “burnout culture” is enforced by toxic management, the most talented professionals will naturally seek environments - usually abroad - where their time and mental health are legislated and respected.