- Questions credibility of the move, sceptical it to be a vote magnet
The Ceylon Electricity Board Workers’ Union (CEBWU) yesterday (30 June) called for the immediate implementation of the proposed performance-based salary structure ahead of the upcoming elections.
Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday, CEBWU General Secretary Ranjan Jayalal expressed scepticism regarding the Government’s intentions. “The proposal is good. But we are not sure whether the Government has an intention to implement it. Otherwise, it could be a plan to get the votes,” Jayalal remarked.
The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera, recently announced plans to introduce a new salary structure, a performance-based incentive system, and an improved promotion process for CEB employees. Minister Wijesekera shared this update in a post on social media platform X, highlighting the discussion that took place during a recent meeting with the CEB trade unions.
During these discussions, several critical points were addressed, including the need to revise the existing approved cadre of over 26,000 employees to curb future recruitment numbers. The meeting also covered various aspects of the proposed reforms, such as the timeline for implementing different tasks, appointments to successor companies, human resource management, salary structures, and policy and management decisions. The proposed performance-based salary structure is aimed at enhancing the efficiency and productivity of CEB employees, aligning their remuneration with their performance. This initiative is part of a broader reform agenda intended to modernise the CEB’s operations and management practices.
Jayalal further emphasised that the Government must demonstrate its commitment to these changes by implementing them before the election, thus avoiding any perception of these proposals being used merely as an electoral tactic.
Attempts made to contact Secretary to the Power and Energy Ministry Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardene and the Chairman of the CEB regarding the timeline for the roll out of the proposed performance-based salary structure, failed.