Sri Lanka trade union now calls for Rs. 9,000 salary increase for public sector

Sri Lanka's Marxist party Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) affiliated National Trade Union Center (NTUC) that called for a Rs. 8,000 salary increment earlier for the working masses has now increased the amount to Rs. 9,000.

The NTUC demand for Rs. 9,000 comes a few days after the main opposition United National Party (UNP) affiliated trade unions called on the government for a Rs. 10,000 increase in salaries in its 2011 budget.

NTUC head and JVP politburo member K.D. Lalkantha today said the trade unions affiliated to the NTUC will demand the government to grant a Rs. 9,000 increase in salaries in the 2011 budget due to the rising cost of living.

Lalkantha said the working masses would continue to agitate to win their demands.

The NTUC has already launched a series of district conventions together with a forum of joint trade unions and protest campaigns as well.