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by Mahinda Samarasinghe , Minister of Employment and Labour

A May Day dedicated to national unity and peace brings fresh hopes and expectations. A peaceful environment prevalent at workplaces is an essential prerequisite to usher in prosperity for the working class. The measures taken by the Ministry of Employment and Labour to achieve these objectives will no doubt take the working class of this country to prosperity.

It is with a sense of personal satisfaction that I present today the draft National Employment Policy for Sri Lanka to the Prime Minister Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe to coincide with the National May Day. The formulation of a National Employment Policy for Sri Lanka was indeed major challenge. Bearing in mind the need for transparency and peoples' participation we launch an official web site to facilitate this process, supported by an advisory committee comprising professionals, government, business leaders, Trade Union leaders and academics who have done a commendable job in drafting the National Employment Policy.

The draft policy which will be presented to the Hon. Prime Minister today, will be once again available for public debate and discussion before it is presented to the Cabinet and finally to put in place the recommended legislative steps.

One of the benefits the working class of this country would be getting on this May Day will be newly introduced Employees' Supplementary Insurance Scheme. This Cabinet has accepted this suggestion in principle and I will be taking steps to work now.

The decentralization of the EPF has already commenced paving the way for members to obtain their dues in their respective Districts without having to come to Colombo as in the past.

The first phase of this programme was inaugurated on the 7th of April at Matara. All District Labour Offices will very soon be linked to the main Operation Terminal and the Computer Network of the Central Bank in Colombo so that payments could be made in the respective districts and at all the Regional Secretariats.

We have also taken steps to set up a Special Task Force to look in to the grievances of employees who are allegedly subjected to various harassments and violations of their rights at workplaces. A Special Task Force will be established for the Free Trade Zones. The Ministry of Employment and Labour has taken steps to secure better job opportunities who wish to work overseas to optimize our foreign exchange earnings.

Several International Airlines have acceded to our request to reduce the prices of Air Tickets of Sri Lankans who go for work to the Middle East.

The Ministry has taken steps to bring back a large number of troubled Housemaids who have been stranded in various countries during the last few months. The Bureau of Foreign Employment has taken measures to penetrate new job markets for Sri Lankans in Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea in the East, Italy, Cypress and Scandinavian Countries in Europe and in North America.

We have been instrumental in raising the duty free allowance from $ 1000 to $ 1500 given to expatriate Sri Lankans on their return.

Steps have already been taken to implement a project to give advanced training to aspirant overseas job seekers in suitable vocations and International languages, with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration and several countries.

Several rounds of discussions were held with officials of the Kuwait Compensation Fund to expedite payments for about 4000 Gulf war victims who are yet to be paid.

The Ministry is in the process of identifying necessary amendments to existing Labour Laws which meet present day demands and requirements, while safeguarding workers' rights increasing employment opportunities, enhancing productivity and exports.

The Government of Norway has pledged its support for the formulation of a National Employment Policy for Sri Lanka. The year 2002 has been declared as the 'Year of Productivity'. The official web site for a National Productivity Policy was launched a few weeks ago and being supported by the USAID. Peoples' participation and transparency are our key guidelines in these endeavours.

The Ministry has also embarked on a tripartite initiative to work towards formulating a National Workers' Housing Policy.

The committee will give priority for housing construction under this scheme to estate and Free Trade Zone employees and expatriate workers.

We are marching towards a new and fast changing world and as such should identify new trends and benefits and leave behind obsolete norms.

Our prime objective is a speedy and durable development in the economy emphasizing on productivity and competitiveness so that a better future can be guaranteed for the working class.

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Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
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