Trade unions reject Govt.’s decision to grant 18% salary hike to several sectors
Friday, 13 January 2012 01:03
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Trade unions affiliated to the electricity, fuel, water and ports sectors in Sri Lanka have rejected the Government’s decision to grant them an 18% salary increment along with a Rs. 2,500 monthly incentive payment and threatened to stage a walk out. The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) trade unions have rejected the salary increment granted by the government claiming the employees demanded a 45% salary increment.
The CEB, CPC and NWSDB workers are granted salary increments once in three years and are to be reviewed this year. The trade unions have continuously demanded for a 45% increment in the salaries.
Cabinet Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that CEB, CPC and NWSDB employees will be given a salary increase of 32% which includes the 18% pay hike in basic salary and a monthly incentive payment of Rs. 2,500.
Executive Committee Member of the joint trade union alliance and Head of the Lanka Viduli Sevaka Sangamaya, Ranjan Jayalal told ColomboPage that the CEB employees would stage a walkout if the Government prints the gazette notification announcing the 18% salary hike.
“The trade unions of the sectors affected have discussed and the CEB employees would stage a walk out if the Government prints the relevant gazette notification,” he said. He added that the trade unions would commence a continuous strike action as stated last week. “The Government has failed to address the demands of the workers,” he noted. According to Jayalal, the trade unions are to also hold a massive demonstration in Colombo on 18 January by bringing down workers of the CEB, CPC and NWSDB in all parts of the country.
