UNP TO DEMAND RS 10,000 PAY HIKE FOR WORKERS

A Rs 10,000 pay hike for the public sector and a salary increment for the private sector in accordance with the cost of living are two demands the United National Party (UNP) is to put forward at its May Day rally which is to be held in Ampara on Thursday said, assistant leader Joseph Michael Perera yesterday.

Mr. Perera said at a media briefing that his party would put forward six demands at the May Day rally and the first would be to suspend the government’s plan to convert the pension gratuity into a loan scheme. He said the party would also call for the cancellation of the gazette notification under which powers were given to the security forces to intervene in any protest or a rally.

A Rs. 10,000 pay hike for the public sector and a salary increment f or the private sector in accordance with the cost of living and tax cuts are among the other demands.

UNP national organiser Daya Gamage urged that the government grant tax relief to local industries, rather than to casinos, in order to ensure that the workers get better salaries.

Mr. Gamage accused the country’s rulers of trying to ruin the village youths through casinos and other vices. He said the UNP was able to hold its 2012 May Day rally in Jaffna despite various difficulties.

His party would put forward six demands at the May Day rally and the first would be to suspend the government’s plan to convert the pension gratuity into a loan scheme

“The UNP will be the first party to hold its May Day rally in Ampara in the post-independence era, he said. The UNP national organiser said farmers had become indebted and helpless due to increased production costs.”