Government won’t give in to non-academic staff demand
View(s):The Government has turned down the demand by University non-academic staff to increase their allowances as it would cost the State an additional Rs40 billion, besides causing complications in other services, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha told Timesonline.
He said that if their allowances are increased, other services too would make similar demands and the overall additional cost would increase to Rs120 billion.
The non-academic staff strike in State universities has been on for 45 days.
The Government was not in a position to print money and distribute, as done in the past, as new laws prohibit the printing of money, the minister said.
No allocations have been made this year to clear salary anomalies.
He said employees would be paid their last month’s salary only if they return to work before June 25. “We have conveyed this position to the respective universities.”
A senior Government official said that all academic staff are currently carrying out their duties, and they have already started contracting jobs to outside parties and would be looking for replacements shortly. “We want to ensure that the students are not inconvenienced.”
He said unions have been told that a Committee has already been appointed to look into the issues of the staff and they should return to work as soon as possible.
Secretary to the Education Ministry Thilaka Jayasundara has written to the University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman saying that the demands of the non-academic staff have already been placed before a special Committee which is looking into the matter.
Ms Jayasundara said that, during a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on June 12 it was made clear that no further increase of allowances and salaries could be considered during this year. Depending on the recommendations of the Committee, a decision would be taken on the increase of salaries and allowances in the future.
The Secretary also called for the return of non-academic staff to work. (DWI)
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