Salary hike for private sector?

Chaminda Perera and Dhanushka Godakumbura

The Government plans to grant a 15-25 per cent salary hike to the private sector following a discussion with the Wages Control Board officials, said Labour relations and Manpower Minister Athauda Seneviratne.

The Minister had a discussion with the Wages Control Board officials on the instruction of president Mahinda Rajapaksa to increase the private sector salaries in the face of the soaring Cost of Living.

According to Minister Seneviratne, the Special Gazette Notification in this regard would be issued next week which is expected to take effect from the end of next month. The Ministry seeks proposals and opinions from all stakeholders in the private sector with regard to this decision.

The percentage of salary increment will depend on the nature of the institution. "We will decide on how salary could be increased after careful observation of their opinions and proposals," the Minister said.