Sri Lankan Government Approves Recruitment of 145 Customs Officers Amidst Union Action

In response to ongoing demands from the Customs Officers' Association, the Sri Lankan government has approved the recruitment of 145 new customs officers to fill existing vacancies.

This announcement follows recent trade union action where officers strictly adhered to the rulebook, causing delays in customs clearance processes.

The trade union action by Customs officials, where they strictly adhered to the rulebook, has come to an end following an agreement reached with the Secretary to the President, and an Additional Secretary to the Finance Ministry.

Amila Sanjiwa, President of the Customs Officers' Association, confirmed the conclusion of the action on the basis of a commitment from the President's Secretary and the Ministry of Finance.
Customs Officers in Sri Lanka launched a Work To Rule campaign earlier on Thursday (15).

The officers were seeking solutions to a range of issues, including concerns regarding salary discrepancies, the promotion process, and recruitment.

In a statement, the Customs Trade Union Alliance (CTUA) outlined the rationale behind their ongoing labor action, highlighting several unresolved issues of concern to customs officers.
They demand an immediate implementation of promotions, delayed for four years, under the revised recruitment procedure, and retroactive application of salary scales and benefits associated with the aforementioned promotions