Page 5 - Anton Marcus News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Hong Kong-based fashion giant the Esquel Group confirms it has cut production in Sri Lanka resulting from “the loss of many US customers”.

After remaining silent for days as the anti-government protests swelled, the unions are now claiming to support them. But they do so with the aim of preventing them from becoming a challenge to capitalist rule.

Heavily dependent on tourism, Sri Lanka’s economic situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. Prices of essential commodities like fuel, medicines, milk and wheat, as well as public transport fares, have shot up and unions are calling for wage increases for workers to survive.

Twelve unions across Sri Lanka have launched a joint campaign to demand a rise of 10,000 rupees (US $49) in the monthly minimum wage of private sector employees, and to oppose the government’s decision to exclude private sector employees from a scheme that grants a monthly allowance of 5,000 rupees (US $25) to public sector employees and pensioners.

President Rajapakse has made clear that his government will take no action to stem the rising number of Omicron infections.