Sept 27, Colombo: National Trade Union Center (NTUC), the trade union affiliated with Sri Lanka's Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) says it would discuss with the United National Party's Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party's Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya to get their support to demand a salary increase from the government.

NTUC Head and JVP politburo member K.D. Lalkantha told a news conference today that the NTUC would invite trade unions affiliated to other political parties as well as those that are independent to join the struggle to demand a salary increase for the public sector workers in the 2013 budget.

Lalkantha said the NTUC has commenced a campaign to demand a salary hike of Rs. 13,442.50 for the public sector workers from the 2013 budget.

He explained that the cost of living has increased by Rs. 21,052 since President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed office in 2006 while the allowances and salary increments granted by the government on various occasions amount to Rs. 7,609.50.

Therefore, he said the government needed to grant the remaining Rs. 13,442.50 as a salary increment for the workers in line with the increase in the cost of living index.

"President Rajapaksa when assuming office pledged to grant a salary hike t the public sector employees in line with the cost of living. Hence, action needs to be taken to match the salaries of the working masses with the cost of living," Lalkantha said.