Non - academic staff engaged in TU action:

No salary cut says UGC head

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The University Grant Commission (UGC) will not cut salaries of non - academic staff engaged in trade union action, chairman Professor Gamini Samaranayaka said.

The UGC is able to deduct salaries of non - academic staff who neglect their duty under the power vested in the UGC by a circular issued in 2007, he said.

"In accordance with the circular, the UGC has powers to deduct salaries of staff who are absent or neglect duty under the guise of trade union action," Prof Samaranayaka said.

He said that the UGC has made Vice Chancellors aware by letter in this connection.

He noted that no one can be allowed to destroy the free education system or educational rights of students.

"Public funds can not be wasted in vain," he said speaking on trade union action of certain non - academic staff.

Prof Samaranayaka said that trade union action is conducted by a union which has not been registered with the Labour Department.

Therefore, the trade union action cannot be considered legal, he said. Prof Samaranayaka said it has been noted that unionists have tried to get the assistance of newly recruited staff forcibly for unruly trade union action.

He added the salaries of all non- academic staff, other than labourers, have been increased recently. "Therefore, it is unethical to ask for a salary hike," he added.