Non-academic staff to call off strike after Avurudu

University non-academic staff Trade Unions yesterday decided to call off the ongoing strikes soon after the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Avurudu).

A University Joint Trade Unions Alliance spokesman told the Daily News that the University Non-academic staff strike action, which continued for one and half months, would be called off as their issues had been resolved through negotiations.

He said they received a favourable response from the Higher Education Ministry. The Higher Education Ministry on Wednesday, issued a circular ordering all non-academic staff engaged in strikes, to report to work before April 17.

Over 15,000 non-academic workers from 15 state universities, joined in the strike that commenced on February 28.

They had six main demands including a wage rise, a language proficiency allowance, increased concessionary loans, the introduction of medical insurance and a pension scheme.