The Samagi Education Workers’ Union and the Joint Trade Union Alliance have reignited their struggle, urging the government to address salary discrepancies in the public service by providing an interim allowance of Rs. 25,000 to teachers and principals. The unions argue that this measure should remain in effect until comprehensive salary revisions are implemented.
Trade union representatives stress the urgency of incorporating salary increases for teachers and principals in the upcoming budget, in line with the Subodhani Committee’s recommendations. They criticize the government for failing to fulfill its pre-election promises of raising public sector salaries by 25% and delivering meaningful reforms to address longstanding pay disparities.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya National Trade Union Secretary Priyantha Pathberiya highlighted the unions’ history of protests, including their pivotal role in ousting Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s administration. “We fought on the streets against the Ranil-Rajapaksa government, demanding justice for teachers and principals,” Pathberiya stated.
The union leader also recalled collaborating with figures like Wasantha Samarasinghe and Mahinda Jayasinghe, now part of the current government, to push for salary increases. He expressed disappointment that promises made before the election, such as improving teacher and principal pay scales, remain unfulfilled.
Citing the Udaya R. Seneviratne and Subodhani Committees’ recommendations, Pathberiya emphasized the necessity of addressing the issue in this year’s budget. “The government must act now to ensure fair compensation for educators who play a critical role in shaping the nation,” he said.
The unions maintain that a nominal living wage without structural changes is insufficient, underscoring their determination to continue advocating for justice in the public service salary structure.
