Sri Lankan trade unions protest delay in pay hike

COLOMBO - Sri Lankan trade unions Tuesday decided to go ahead with their planned three-day strike to protest against the delay in pay hike.

The trade unions of port, fuel, electricity and water sectors have jointly called for the strike despite government’s promise to raise the salaries of workers, Xinhua reported.

The strike was expected to start from mid-night Tuesday.

The unions are demanding Rs.5,000 (about $43) pay hike from January this year.

The government had earlier agreed to grant a 22-percent pay hike starting January 2010, but union leaders say it failed to fulfill its promise.

Long queues were seen at fuel stations Tuesday as people rushed to stock up on fuel fearing shortages during the strike.