By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan in Ceylon Today, Nov 25, 2023
The challenges faced by Sri Lankan workers abroad, enduring harassment and exploitation, is a common global concern, with paymasters having the upper hand on their hapless workers. Yet, an alarming and unusual trend has emerged with workers facing mistreatment, being denied time for meals and encountering deceit regarding EPF, ETF, and insurance schemes by a particular Chinese company operating near Medawachchiya in the North Central Province.
The 600 workers who protested are now under scrutiny. This disturbing reality is unfolding in the North Central Province, where a Chinese-led project by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC), which is underway, focused on constructing a deep tunnel irrigation system.
Their local manpower partner named Sino Manpower which handles the manpower at the site has given less attention other than taking down the attendance and giving their daily wages and monitoring whether they are working properly or not.
Residents and workers from the surrounding areas nearing 600, were recruited for the project, only to be met with shocking mistreatment—reports of being physically assaulted and forcibly removed by Chinese supervisors have led to recent protests.
This behaviour by the Chinese workforce which has been circulating on social media amplifies instances of worker harassment in African regions and Balochistan etc.
Protesters in the North Central Province decry the flagrant violation of the workers’ fundamental rights, such as breaks for meals and proper working conditions, allegedly perpetuated by the management of Sino Manpower, as claimed by the protesters.
The Irrigation Ministry, while the project was launched, said there would be direct employment for a labour force of 5,200 skilled and unskilled workers, while an additional 2,000 are expected to find employment in support services during the construction phase of a significant project but there seem to be no employment contract letters given to unskilled workers and some skilled workers.
In February 2021, former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa inaugurated the construction of a groundbreaking 28 km ‘Irrigation Tunnel’ at Palugaswewa in Anuradhapura, to be undertaken by CSCEC.
The tunnel forms the initial phase of the North Central Province Maha Ela Project, running parallel to the Waari Saubhagya (Irrigation Prosperity) initiative aimed at rehabilitating 5,000 tanks. As part of the final phase of the Mahaweli Development Scheme, this project aims to divert water from the Moragahakanda and Kalu Ganga reservoirs to Rajarata.
The project’s design emphasises eco-friendly development, intending to redirect excess water from these reservoirs through a 65km canal to Yakalla, passing through three sanctuaries to minimise environmental and wildlife impact. The irrigation tunnel, starting from Elahera Konduruwewa and concluding at Palugaswewa Mahamigaswewa, is estimated to conclude around 2025, spanning six years and costing USD 244 million, funded by the Government of Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank.
This particular irrigation network encompasses seven rivers and covers a stretch of 12,300 hectares. As the first phase of this particular project is being undertaken by a Chinese firm, work had been done over a 5 km stretch and the seven rivers that are due to be served by this irrigation network includes Huruluwewa, Manankattiyawewa, Eruwewa, Nachchaduwawewa, Nuwarawewa, Thisawewa and Mahakanadarawewa, respectively.
The protesters explained that though they had brought their grievances to the notice of the Chinese firm in charge of the contract and the Mahaweli Authority, which is the local representative, their pleas had fallen on deaf ears, forcing them to resort to strike action as a final resort.
Lack of safe drinking water
The lack of safe drinking water has contributed significantly to poverty and kidney diseases in the North Central, Northern, and Eastern Provinces. Post-completion, 25,000 families in 13 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the North Central Province will benefit. Additionally, an anticipated 43,000 hectares will be cultivated during both Yala and Maha seasons, supporting 1,200 small tanks.
It was former Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa who outlined the Government’s goal of maximising water usage for agriculture, inspired by the legacy of past monarchs. State Minister Siripala Gamalath expressed how the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ initiative would transform the lives of the Rajarata people by providing water for drinking and cultivation through the North Central Province Maha Ela.
China’s CAMC Engineering Corporation, which signed a contract with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources Management, aims to build the Yan Oya water reservoir. Similar to the Moragahakanda project, this initiative seeks to address water issues in areas including Kebithigollewa, Padaviya, Welioya, and Medawachchiya.
CAMC Chairperson Luo Yan at the point of launching the project, pledged timely completion in the year 2025 and local community benefits, projecting a four-year completion timeline for the Yan Oya reservoir project.
Lalith Ramyasiri, a mason, devoted nine months to the project until his dismissal on 12 November due to his protest against mistreatment. Ramyasiri, who takes care of eight family members, including his mother battling cancer, is now seeking odd jobs to support them.
His monthly net salary is around Rs 62,004.41 but he takes home around Rs 30,000 after the company deducts, the light bill, water bill, rent for the room and spending on food items, etc.
He said 8 per cent is deducted as EPF contributions but how much the company contributes is not known. Similarly, they had assured an insurance scheme, however, that has not been executed. Rs 250 is deducted for ‘safety’.
He also noted that a safety payment of Rs 250 is deducted but they charge for taking them to the hospital in case they are unable to return home.
Initially praised for his work, Ramyasiri received a performance certificate after completing three months by the Chinese company. Neither Ramyasiri nor any other workers were provided appointment letters. “We filled a form that asked for our name, address, any illness etc and that’s all,” Ramyasiri said.
They toil tirelessly within the tunnel, barely getting time for meals. “We eat while on the move, rushed by Chinese supervisors who habitually kick us to resume work,” he lamented. He explained that at 90 feet deep inside the tunnel almost five kilometres, working without access to water or tea was extremely challenging. They are denied breaks and forced to continue work.
Despite promises of an insurance scheme, it’s nonexistent. Deductions for EPF and ETF are made, yet workers receive no proper documentation for these deductions, unlike standard company procedures. They deduct 8 per cent as EPF but the company’s contribution is not mentioned, Ramyasiri revealed, adding that 11 others were also dismissed for demanding their rights.
After protests related to salary increases, a daily wage of Rs 1,200 was raised by an additional Rs 350, with an extra Rs 100 for overtime. However, those who spoke to the media were targeted, including Ramyasiri. Ramyasiri stressed the need for the job for its consistent daily pay, crucial for supporting his family, and appealed for assistance in reclaiming his job.
EPF deductions lack transparency
The workers’ EPF deductions lack transparency regarding the amount deposited by the company for their welfare. An incident where a worker sprained his hip due to heavy lifting saw Rs 15,000 deducted by the Chinese company for “medical treatment.”
Ramyasiri, granted leave to attend to his ailing mother and his brother-in-law’s funeral, faced repercussions for taking this sanctioned leave, which was pre-applied for. Despite working night shifts fixing the concrete tunnel on 8 November, he was given a mere 30 minutes for food but couldn’t sit to eat, aggravating the Chinese supervisors.
Following these incidents, they staged protests. Although Sino Manpower has Sri Lankan supervisors, they seem indifferent, allegedly prioritising higher pay over controlling workers. Complaints made to these supervisors yielded no action from the Chinese supervisors.
Numerous attempts by Ceylon Today to contact Sino Manpower were futile.
L.U. Elangaratne, 31, suffered a hip sprain two months ago while inside the tunnel. He recounted carrying an 80 kg water pipe meant for at least ten people but handled by only six. “I was rushed to the hospital and was concerned about the transportation cost, but Sino Manpower assured me no deductions would be made,” Elangaratne revealed. However, on returning home for native treatment, he was surprised to find Rs 15,000 deducted from his salary for dropping him home from the hospital.
Presently, Elangaratne struggles to walk or even carry his child. Despite being injured during duty, he hasn’t received any visit or compensation for his ordeal.
Many workers, eager to keep their jobs, bear excessive workloads, harassment akin to the challenges faced by labourers in the Middle East. They’re constrained from voicing complaints about their plight, fearing dismissal or continued harassment until they reluctantly accept their circumstances. This oppressive situation reflects the plight of workers in the North Central Province too in the hands of the Chinese and their local supervisors.
https://ceylontoday.lk/2023/11/25/chinese-company-dismisses-12-local-workers-for-protesting-over-their-rights/
