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| Saturday, 17 April 2004 |
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Labour Minister announces 15pc pay rise in coconut sector by Shirajiv Sirimane The new Minister of Labour Relations and Foreign Labour Athauda Seneviratne said that the salaries in the coconut sector would be increased by 15 per cent with immediate effect. The Minister soon after assuming duties, said employees in this sector are facing major problems due to low wages. "This is why the government decided to compensate the industry by introducing a salary increase," he said. There are over 200,000 employees in the industry involved in the manufacture of coir, copra desiccated coconut working in coconut estates and the government sector. This is only the beginning of providing benefits to the working class by the new government. "This was one of the promises we made at the last General Elections," he said. "More benefits would be announced at the next May Day celebrations," he assured. Seneviratne said that this was the first time that the tag 'Foreign Labour' was introduced to the Ministry. "This is because we have to work closely with other countries in this area." He said that the rights of the Sri Lankan workforce would be safeguarded at all times. Foreign investors would not be discouraged and the Ministry would work closely with them. |
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