Professionals vow to take TU action

Sri Lanka-singapore FTA

The Professionals’ National Front (PNF) yesterday warned they would take trade union action from tomorrow (4) against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) inked with Singapore, which would risk Sri Lanka’s economy, job market and independency.

PNF Media Spokesman Dr. Samantha Ananda told a news conference that professionals including doctors and other occupations attached to Sri Lanka does not gain from this deal. This is a gross betrayal committed by the local officials who signed the agreement the Customs and Railway Department had decided to commence trade union action accordingly.

Meanwhile, the PNF urged President Sirisena to intervene on this issue and added that the Sri Lankan service sector would be open to another country for the first time, through this FTA; “This FTA will negatively affect the country’s job market and independency,” it said.

The PNF also said that Singapore had maintained import taxes at a minimum level and 99 per cent of the export items listed in the agreement fall under the categories for which Singapore has already granted import tax relief.

“Accordingly, Sri Lanka does not gain from this deal. This is a gross betrayal committed by the local officials who signed the agreement,” it said.

It also said the trade agreements including this FTA were signed without conducting feasibility studies and added that the related authorities had not followed world recognized recommendations, prior to entering into these agreements.