• Calls for solutions on unfilled vacancies and OT payment

The Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union (PTOU) and the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) launched a 48-hour strike at 4 p.m. yesterday (16), demanding solutions to seven key issues.

According to them, these include filling vacancies in the Postal Department, implementing the Postal Services Constitution, and ensuring proper overtime (OT) payments.

Speaking to the media, UPTUF Convener Chinthaka Bandara said that apart from a small number of recruitments on two occasions, no proper hiring has taken place to fill the Postal Department's vacancies. "Currently, the Postal Department has around 7,500 vacancies, including junior staff. It is difficult to maintain even basic services. In some areas, letters are only delivered every two days due to the staff shortage."

He said that the strike would commence at 4 p.m. at the Central Mail Exchange, with all postal employees across the country joining in from midnight yesterday (15). "The strike will continue on 17 and 18 March. If a fair solution is not provided to our issues even after the strike, we will be forced to escalate our trade union action."

Multiple attempts to contact the Deputy Minister of Media, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and Postmaster General R.P. Sathkumara regarding the concerns raised by the trade unions proved futile.