State service trade unions stage protest

A number of provincial and state-level public service trade unions staged a protest this afternoon (October 30) spanning multiple requests including salary increases.

The protests were held by state employees during the lunch hour in several parts of the country.

The Trade Union Collective of State and Provincial Public Service pointed out the cost of living is increasing to the point where the working class in the country is unable to make ends meet on their wages.

The last pay raise for a government worker took place in 2016.  Seven years later the cost of every product and service has increased by 300-400% except for each payroll.

The Trade Union Collective voiced concerns on the inclusion of a pay raise of Rs. 20,000 or Rs. 20,000 allowances in the 2024 budget and to re-implement the maximum pension scheme which was deprived by the Maithree-Ranil government through the 2016 budget.

Trade union actions will persist until wages or allowances at the minimal reasonable demand rate are paid to all employees working in or after the 2024 Budget, they said. 

The Trade Union Collective Coordinator Mr. Chandana Sooriyaarchchi said that the protest involved the participation of Development Officers, Management Officers, Grama Niladhari Officers, Samurdhi Officers, along with Provincial Public Service Sector Personnel and other office services.

Pix by: Indika Handuwala, M. A. Pushpa Kumara and Akila Jayawardena