Stranded workers demand temporary employment in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 05 April 2007, 00:00 GMT]
Over one thousand graduates from Jaffna peninsula employed in Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)- controlled Wanni district began a protest on Wednesday morning at 7:00 a.m outside the premises of Jaffna Education department and the Secretariat of Additional Provincial Director of Education located at Nallur, Muthiraisanthy demanding temporary employment in the peninsula until proper transportation arrangements are made.

Pointing out the difficulties of traveling to Wanni after the closure of A9 Highway, the graduates employed as teachers and in various government departments have informed the officials that they are not in a position to return to their places of employment, leaving behind their family members.

Earlier due to the interference of a Tamil political party together with the assistance of Major Gen. Chandrasiri, Commanding officer of the security forces in Northern Region, 350 graduates were provided with temporary employment in the schools in the peninsula for a period of one year by the Governor of Northern Province.

The remaining 800 the graduates were ordered to return to Wanni to continue their employment.

The protesting graduates have demanded that they too should be provided employment in the peninsula for a period of at least one year, until the situation for travel to Wanni returns to normal.

The action by the protesting graduates crippled all activities of the education department.

The protestors remained at the scene for a long time and then dispersed peacefully. However, spokesperson of the group said the protest will continue indefinitely until their grievances are addressed and assurances are given for alternate employment.

Neither the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops nor the police were present at the scene .

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