Unemployed graduates demand jobs

By Chamodi Gunawardana

The Combined Association of Unemployed Graduates (CAUG) yesterday claimed it will continue its protest if the Government doesn’t take immediate action for the matter of unemployment. 

The CAUG is holding a protest in Kandy town since 9 January and it said the protest will be converted to a Satyagraha movement if the Government is unable to fulfill its demands. 

Issuing a letter CAUG Convener Dammika Munasinghe alleged the Government pledged to create job opportunities for all graduates, but it still limited to the lines of manifesto. 

The Government yesterday offered letters of appointment for 2660 graduates at an occasion held in temple trees. However the CAUG charged it was a media circus.

The CAUG also claimed the Government was planning to offer letters of appointment for 5500 trained graduates at yesterday occasion, but it had reduced to 2660 due to some hidden reason. 

It further alleged those graduates were given appointments under a maximum basic salary of Rs.10, 000 which was insufficient considering their qualifications. The CAUG demanded the Government to fill the shortage of 30,400 Government schools teachers immediately.