University non academic staff strike over allowance

The nonacademic staffers at state universities launched a one day token strike today in protest over the government increasing the allowances of academic staff and they are demanding a similar incrase.

The cabinet approved President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s proposal of increasing the study allowance granted to university lecturers by 25 percent. It was also an allowance would be included in their January salary.

However, the University Trade Union Joint Committee complained that they too would need an increase of their allowances due to the prevailing economic situation. They complained that increasing the salaries of lecturers has left the non-academic staff members upset.

“We urge the authorities to raise the salaries and allowances of both academic and nonacademic staffers if they are going to increase the salaries of the university sector”

The co-secretary of the Inter-University Trade Union Federation K.L.D.G. Richmond said this token strike is joined by 23 trade unions.