State sector transport trade unions have threatened to launch a strike by the end of January 2008 if all their 38,000 members are not paid their back wages and Cost of Living allowances totalling Rs 16,000 each.

All Ceylon Transport Workers Union General Secretary Sepala Liyanage told The Island yesterday that five other State sector transport unions have pledged support for the trade union action as representations made to higher authorities, including the Minister of Transport, had fallen on deaf years.

He said all other state sector organizations had been paid the cost of living allowance in consideration of the high cost of living, but the SLTB has been denied this.

SLTB Chairman Tudor Dayaratne said that information on the Trade Unions’ current demand had not been forwarded to him and he would ask the affected unions to inform him of their demands. He appealed to the unions to refrain from any strike action. The government is committed to protect workers’ rights and will treat all SLTB employees without discrimination, he said.

Transport Minister Dallas Allahaperuma said that the government would never reject genuine claims of public servants. He assured that the budget for 2008 had allocated the required money to pay the back wages and cost of living allowance to the SLTB employees. He said the Ministry had a fruitful discussion with the Treasury over this matter and the latter agreed to pay. It would be paid in mid January, he said.