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Statement by Minister of Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Athauda Seneviratne at the 92nd session of the International Labour Conference, on June 9.

We all have to accept the fact that globalisation is inevitable and that it can be a powerful force for positive change. The question, however, is how to bring about a fair and inclusive process of globalisation. The UN Secretary General had the correct vision at this critical time to appoint the Global Commission on the Social Dimension of the Globalisation jointly chaired by respected leaders of North and the South to bring a new perspective to bear.

Minister Athauda Seneviratne

We fully agree with the observations of the Director General that the Commission's report presents a new way forward for globalisation by looking at the existing realities critically, recognising the positive aspects of its enormous potential and based on a realistic approach to the common aspirations of men and women. The key elements in the national agenda proposed by the Commission identify the need to focus on people, good governance, improving capabilities of the State and integration between social, economic and environmental policies. It is interesting to note that the Decent Work Agenda launched by the ILO five years back and programmes promoted giving effect to it, share a common goal. Sri Lanka has implemented many policies within the framework of the decent work agenda. The newly elected Government of Sri Lanka under the leadership of Her Excellency the President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, is fully committed to a Decent Work Plan of Action which will become a policy document ensuring social and economic progress.

The Decent Work Plan of Action will outline the key deficits and set out action plans to remedy them. The process will be led by my Ministry - the Ministry of Labour Relations and Foreign Employment - linked with the proposed Council for Development. The concept paper which is being prepared by the ILO will be reviewed by a task force of tripartite plus several sector specific meetings will take place to zoom into the most specific and most urgent deficits prevalent in the formal and informal economies, the public sector and migrant labour areas. Each of these will specifically look at issues of job creation, job quality, governance, gender etc. We are fortunate to have the Commission's report and the report of the Director General at the right time which certainly offers a 'fresh perspective' and invaluable inputs in the formulation of Sri Lanka's Decent Work Action Plan.

My Government is committed to create the required environment and the climate for the private sector to operate and expand providing additional employment opportunities. The Government will ensure that the unemployed, especially the youth, are trained according to the market demand and necessary changes will be brought about to ensure that the supply conforms to the demand. The private sector has already become a partner in our endeavours, displaying true social responsibility and commitment. We also have been supported by the trade unions and other stakeholders. In order to maintain an efficient public service the Government has taken a firm decision to explore areas of manpower shortage in the public sector and make necessary placements.

Poverty is the major challenge facing all of South Asia. During the past few years there is a trend of declining absolute poverty in Sri Lanka, yet the income inequality has increased. Recent political trends in the region have clearly shown that growth centered policies alone may not be sufficient and policies that promote fair distribution may be needed as well to ensure social legitimacy and peace. Successful developmental strategies will be dependent on other measures involving social and economic policies as highlighted in A Fair Globalisation.

Migration for employment is a global phenomenon and an estimated 86 million are economically active world over. In Sri Lanka, persons equivalent to one seventh of its labour force are working abroad, and it is the main source of net foreign exchange earnings of the country. The migratory flows are characterised by predominantly unskilled females, who are mainly engaged in domestic work. Sri Lanka, therefore places special emphasis on the chapter on the global economy and the cross border movement of people and welcome the proposals for improvement of policies that could be eventually beneficial to both countries of origin and destination as well as to migrants and their families. We urge the labour receiving countries to strengthen their policies relating to migrant workers ensuring welfare, protection and equity, recognising the vast contributions they make to the gross domestic product of those countries.

Sri Lanka has already ratified all eight ILO core conventions, and currently working closely with the ILO in filling existing gaps. We are fully aware of the need to strengthen social dialogue. There is a need to strengthen trade union leadership and promote trade union organisation in the unorganised sectors. There is a need to change the mindsets of business to look beyond compliance issues as a means to increase competitiveness.

There is a need to promote social dialogue in the Free Trade Zones. In response, action is being taken to strengthen the existing capacities and overall credibility of mechanisms.

The National Labour Advisory Council will be strengthened to make it an effective consultative body in the formulation of labour policies at the national level. The Department of Labour is being restructured with the assistance and guidance of the ILO to transform its role from enforcement to facilitation, and to strengthen its operational capabilities.

I believe that Sri Lanka is in the right direction in achieving national decent work goals. However, in order for the realisation of decent work to become a global goal as recommended by the Commission, the role of the ILO and other multilateral organisations become crucial. While we endorse the role of the ILO identified in the chapter on mobilising action for change in the Director General's report, we should commend the proposal made to rely on the tripartite structures, values and traditions, and active engagement of the tripartite actors as the driving force in the process.

In conclusion, I wish to place on record by sincere gratitude for the assistance, guidance and cooperation extended to Sri Lanka by the ILO, in particular ILO Office Colombo, and the Country Director for their commitment.

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