12 January, 2012  |
Trade unions in Sri Lanka say they will take industrial action to protest against the proposed wage increase announced by the government.
They have expressed disappointment over the decision of the committee appointed to look into salaries of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and Water Board.Reasonable pay increase
Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on Thursday that the government has decided to increase the basic salary of all employees in the three institutions by 18%.
In addition an allowance of Rs.2500 will be paid and CEB employees will receive another 5 per cent performance allowance, he said.
Mr.Rambukwella said that the committee had made these recommendations in a reasonable manner.
"Overall it is a thirty one per cent increase in salaries", he said.
However, trade unions have expressed their apprehension on the committee recommendations.
President of the Common Services Union of the CPC, Asoka Ranwela said that they are dissilllutioned with the process.
No proper consultations
"There were no regular salary increases and there were pay discrepancies in the past. Realistically, there should be a salary increase of 51%. But we never asked for that. We expected at least 41% pay hike." he said.
The Committee has made these recommendation without proper consultations, he added.
"If they are going to implement these recommendations, the CEB employees in all power houses and offices will be out on strike," Ranjan Jayalal of the CEB Joint Trade Union said.
