Customs officers launch black armband protest over promotion delays

Colombo, Feb. 24 (Daily Mirror) - The Customs Trade Union Alliance said that customs officers will commence a symbolic trade union action from today (24 February) by performing official duties while wearing black armbands across all customs offices in the country.

The Officers wore black armbands after raising a black flag at Sri Lanka Customs Headquarters.

The move comes after repeated appeals to authorities over several years, including demands for long-overdue promotions, went unresolved. Officers have reportedly been performing high-ranking duties without receiving the corresponding pay or benefits for six years, following delays in the implementation of the revised Recruitment Procedure (SOR) scheduled in February 2020.

The Customs Trade Union Alliance, comprising the Customs Staff Officers’ Association, the Senior Customs Superintendents Association, and the Customs Officers Association, said that past negotiations with management failed to resolve the issue. They described the six-year delay in promotions and salary adjustments as “an organized act.”

A special discussion is scheduled for 26 February with the Ministry of Finance, the Public Service Commission, and other relevant parties. Based on the outcome of this meeting, union representatives plan to meet next Friday to decide on further measures regarding their trade union action.