• Samarasinghe claims decision is aimed at elections
• Calls for ‘adequate’ rise of Rs. 20,000

The National Trade Union Centre (NTUC) yesterday (31) stated that the working people of Sri Lanka will receive tangible benefits through the Government's recent decision to increase the national minimum wage by Rs. 5,000.

A proposal to increase the national minimum wage from Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 17,500 (by Rs. 5,000) was recently approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, the Convener of the NTUC Wasantha Samarasinghe said that the said decision would not benefit the working people. "Any worker earns more than Rs. 17,500 at present, and no one would work for a wage that is less than it. Therefore, the decision to increase the minimum wage of Rs. 12,500 by Rs. 5,000 will not give any tangible benefit to the workers. This is just paperwork that serves no purpose," Samarasinghe opined.

The trade unionist said that, if the Government really needs to provide some relief to the working people, that there should be a proper, or adequate salary increase, at least by Rs. 20,000. "All workers including both Government and private sector employees were demanding a salary hike of at least Rs. 20,000. The Government is just playing tricks targeting upcoming elections. This Rs. 5,000 increase is only limited to paperwork. We totally oppose these moves by the Government to mislead the people."

Attempts to contact the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya regarding the allegations made by the NTUC failed.

The Cabinet of Ministers had approved a proposal to increase the national minimum wage by Rs. 5,000. As a result, the minimum wage rose from Rs. 12,500 to Rs. 17,500. This decision was made following a recommendation from a tertiary subcommittee composed of trade unions and small- to medium-scale entrepreneurs appointed under the National Labour Consultancy Board. The initial minimum wage of Rs. 12,500 had been established by the National Minimum Wage of Workers Act No. 03 of 2016.