GovPay-backed On-Spot Traffic Fine payment system vs. Postal Unions

⭕️GovPay offers a convenient digital platform for traffic fine payments, marking a win for citizen efficiency. However, this shift bypasses post offices, leading to union claims that Rs. 600–800 million in annual revenue is being redirected away from the Postal Department.

⭕️ “The GovPay online traffic fine payment system is currently operating as a pilot programme. Therefore, the government still has the opportunity to revise...”
— Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) Co-convener Chinthaka Bandara

⭕️ In reality, All the revenue ultimately goes to the government’s account either the Consolidated Fund or possibly to provincial councils. This is not about revenue loss per se, since the money ends up in the same place.

The unions are worried about two main things:

1. Relevance – Their ability to influence decisions through trade union action depends on their perceived relevance. If key services like traffic fine payments move away from the post office, their leverage is reduced.

2. Service Charge – The Postal Department currently charges a 10% service fee on vehicle spot fines. A portion of this come back to the postal workers. They are just worried this will go away.

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