Marxist backed trade unions in Sri Lanka vow to fight for salary increments

Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) affiliated National Trade Union Center President and JVP politburo member K.D. Lalkantha vowed to initiate trade union action to win relief to the workers in the private, public and estate sectors in the country.


Lalkantha told  that given the increase in the prices of goods and services since May 1st, the working masses were hopeful of receiving the salary increment promised by the President during the Presidential election.
He said that the working people were hopeful of receiving the promised Rs. 2,500 salary hike, which still is an insufficient amount, given the increase in the cost of living in the 2010 budget.
"Instead of the salary hike, the government has taken every possible step to increase taxes and preventing people from living a decent life with their monthly wages," he said.
He called on the public and other trade unions to join the battle to win salaries for the working masses.
"There is no victory without a fight and the trade unions have now entered a battle to win salaries," Lalkantha said.