Give concessions to workers: Ranil

UNP National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is seen at yesterday’s  meeting with trade union representatives.
Pic by Nisal Baduge

By Yohan Perera
Opposition and United National Party (UNP) National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday urged the Government to give sustainable concessions to government, semi-government and private sector workers rather than giving them election goodies which  might be withdrawn later.

"The prices were reduced through a gazette notification and the Government could easily issue new gazette notices after the presidential elections "

Mr. Wickremesinghe who met several trade union leaders at his office said the UNP would support the trade unions in their struggle for a better pay and a reduction in the cost of living through the upcoming Budget.
He said prices of essential goods were recently reduced in view of the elections to the Uva Provincial Council while the prices of a few essential items had been reduced in view of the presidential election.
Mr. Wickremesinghe said the prices were reduced through a gazette notification and the Government could easily issue new gazette notices after the presidential election and reverse the price reductions and therefore the working class should strive for sustainable concessions in the upcoming budget.
He pledged his party’s support to the Private Sector Trade Unions Collective which represents workers in the government, semi-government and private sector in their struggle for a Rs.10,000 salary increment for state sector workers; a minimum salary of 15,000 for private sector workers; a 20 per cent allowance added to the basic salary of public servants; abolish the manpower outsourcing system, resolve the issues faced by peasants and the fishermen and for a Rs.5,000 increment for the private sector workers.