Workers in Sri Lanka have gone on strike in defiance of a gov’t ban to protest against soaring living costs and the country’s worst economic crisis since independence from Britain. Protesters say they have lost faith in the government’s resolve of their concerns.
Strikes in the past have been a powerful tool for the working class to combat inequality and injustice. This week’s protests are a major development, but they do not represent an end to the struggle for an independent, socialist society.
It is vital to continue the movement, says Saravanamuttu Paikiasothy, founder of the Centre for Policy Alternatives in Colombo. He says the movement was “a national vision,” but “the middle class has deserted it.”
Inflation and rising fuel prices have led to shortages of essential goods that are disrupting life in the island nation. The government is struggling to cope with its worst crisis in decades and has slashed foreign exchange reserves. In an effort to bail out the economy, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has hiked income taxes and raised power tariffs by two-thirds this year.
With inflation now over 50%, and the government’s debt level ballooning to more than 100 per cent of GDP, it has become increasingly difficult for families to make ends meet. This has put pressure on public services, with roads blocked, transport canceled, and schools closed.
Despite the government’s attempts to impose a blanket ban on all strikes, several small-scale protests have occurred in many towns and cities. Some are peaceful and well-organized, but others have resulted in clashes with police.
The police force has used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, resulting in injuries. One protester, 61-year-old Nimal Amarasiri from the opposition National People’s Power party, died of injuries during the protests.
A number of public sector workers, including doctors and bankers, have called the strike in a bid to push the government to step up efforts to resolve the fuel shortage. They say the government has failed to address the issue and needs to resign before the situation worsens.
This is not the first time a strike has occurred in Sri Lanka, but it is the first time that such a widespread and broad-based protest has been called against the government’s policies. Over the years, strikes have played an important role in bringing down governments.
Some of the most striking protests have been in Colombo, where public sector workers and students have joined forces to demand that President Rajapaksa resign. They also want the government to halt its cuts to health and education programs and the wages of its teachers.
A number of workers from the private sector have also joined the strikes, including those who work in hotels and airports. They have criticized the government for its recent economic reforms, ahead of the likely $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund loan that is expected to arrive this month. The government has hiked income taxes to up to 36% and raised power tariffs by two thirds this year.
