Workers attached to expressways have launched a sick-note campaign yesterday (22). They are refusing to issue tickets or collect tolls.

About 11,000 workers launched their trade union action from 7 am, demanding job security and an assurance from the government that the expressway network will not be privatised.

The government yesterday deployed armed forces personnel to run expressay toll booths.

The workers claim that the government plans to privatize the entire expressway network. They also said that successive governments have failed to introduce a recruitment policy for the expressway network. Workers also said that the government has stopped paying workers who have taken medical leave.

The workers said they have held a series of discussions with Minister of Transport, Bandula Gunawardena, and senior officials.

Gunawardena said that they have deployed security forces personnel and are issuing temporary tickets to motorists.

The Minister visited several entrance points to the highways and military officials stationed issued tickets to motorists and said that the state is not losing any revenue. (RK)