Given the profligacy of the government (in its spending), what University Academics are asking for is a mere pittance. Furthermore, given the fact that FUTA initiated trade union action is to realize a just cause, pressure on the government is immense.
Meanwhile FUTA's struggle is gaining momentum. With more and more University Teacher Unions joining or expressing solidarity with FUTA in support of our TU action; latest being a series of Medical Faculties. Maintaining pressure on the government will help us achieve our salary demands (delineated in Jiffry-Malik proposals of 2008), thus also helping greatly in achieving the much anticipated education reforms.
At this moment in time, it is imperative to reiterate the original FUTA demands:
1. Implementation of the salary proposal made by the 2008 Jiffry-Malik committee.
2. Recognizing University Academics as a distinct professional category.
3. Taking steps to increase spending on education up to 6% of the GDP.
The general memebership strongly feels that a signing of an agreement delineating the implementation of the main demands is needed before arriving at any decision on an interim solution. In fact, it is the general consensus that such an agreement should be an integral part of the interim solution itself.
We should also not fail to realize our noble commitment to protect and uplift the higher education system in Sri Lanka. Our salary demand, one should reflect, is merely a single step in the process of achieving these magnanimous education reforms.
Let higher education in Sri Lanka prosper, so that our nation and her people can proudly ride towards a new dawn!
