Archives

by Ananda Kannangara

Strict laws will be implemented by Labour Department to crack down on private sector employers who violate labour laws and do not pass benefits to their employees. A large section of the labour force is affected, official sources said. Employment and Labour Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe is spearheading this program.

According to several complaints received by the Department during the past few months certain employers have allegedly forced their employees to work long hours without proper remuneration and welfare facilities, a Ministry spokesman told the Daily News.

"It is also alleged that employers in large and medium scale companies, industries and factories have obtained more than eight hours of work per day from workers without paying overtime or providing with even transport facilities. Female workers doing night shifts are the worst affected".

"In some instances Government mercantile holidays were not observed and no extra payments were made in contravention of Labour laws". The stipulated Welfare facilities enjoyed by other public and private sector employees were not provided".

"It is also alleged that some workers employed in small scale business establishments such as petrol stations and boutiques do not have Provident Fund numbers (EPF) although the deductions are regularly made from their monthly salaries.

Some workers are not being issued with salary sheets along with their monthly pay.

The Ministry will deploy a team of labour officials track down offenders.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager