Govt. officers demand pay hike, threaten to strike without warning

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Sri Lanka Government Officers’ Trade Union Association (SLGOTUA) yesterday warned that it would go on strike without giving notice, if the government did not increase the salaries of government servants through the 2022 Budget.

Secretary of the SLGOTUA, B.A.P. Basnayake made the demand while writing to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

The letter stated that the government Budget had ignored the public sector. “Right now, most Sri Lankans find it hard to survive, especially wage earners. The salary we receive was not adequate even before the recent increases in goods and services. At that time the average income necessary to maintain a family of four was Rs. 58,000,” he said.

However, those calculations must be made anew with the recent price hikes, Basnayake said. “In recent months the price of essential items have increased several times, significantly.

Given these developments, the government servants expected a salary increment. However, everyone is disappointed. There was no acknowledgment of the problems that the people are facing. Thus, we urge the government to bring in amendments to the Budget to increase salaries by Rs. 18,000 in the next two weeks. If this is not done, we will take union action which will bring the country to a standstill,” he said.