University functions despite strike

by Thava Sajitharan

Despite protests by a section of non-academic staff of Colombo University, the University functioned smoothly, Colombo University Vice-Chancellor's office said on Friday.

The Inter-University Trade Union Federation launched an island-wide token strike last Thursday in protest of the installation of finger sensor machines on attendance of employees in the University of Colombo.

Colombo University Vice-Chancellor Professor T. Hettiarachchy claimed that 'falsehoods were being spread by various groups with vested interests'. Hettiarachchy said in a statement the introduction of the time clocking machine was intended to 'monitor attendance particularly with regard to payment of overtime that has become a big burden on government institutions'.

'All attempts to install the machines, by the University of Colombo were thwarted by opposition from labour unions', the Professor added.

'The overtime bill accounted to Rs. 12 million in 2005', he pointed out.

Referring to 'a question' raised by the federation leaders as to why the system should not be introduced for academics too, Professor Hettiarachchy said 'the academics had no fixed working hours nor a 8-hour duty."

Hettiarachchy said the unions feared the machines would be installed in other universities if it was a success in Colombo.

However, when contacted, Treasurer of the Inter-University Trade Union Federation and President of Clerical and Technical Union of Nawala Open University, R. Ratnasiri claimed their protest was against many administrative issues that also included the installation of the attendance machine.
