Profit-sharing scheme for postal employees

Dharme Sri ABEYRATNE

KANDY: The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has taken steps to add an allowance to the pension scheme of retiring postal employees, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications D.M. Jayaratne said.

Addressing a function at the Deputy Post Master General's Office in Kandy to commemorate 'World Postal Day 2007',Minister Jayaratne said several profitable and innovative be schemes have been introduced to the Postal service by his Ministry jointly with the private sector.

The measures also envisage profit sharing among the employees. There would be a substantial sum that would be offered apart from the pension when employees retire, Minister Jayaratne said. The programme will commence next year.

"There is a trend today where youth in the urban areas get through the open competitive examinations and obtain appointments in the rural areas depriving village youth this opportunity when there are considerable amount of vacancies available in Sub-post offices in rural areas.

I shall take this matter up at Cabinet, he said. In addition, there are over 900 employees in the Postal Department who haven't been absorbed to the permanent service. The Ministry would take steps to make representation to the Public Service Commission to make them permanent.

The Ministry will also launch a special project to construct new Post Offices and Sub Post Offices which are in a dilapidated state.

The Chief Minister of Central Province Sarath Ekanayake, Secretary to the Minister of Post and Telecommunications W.M. Piyasena, Post Master General Shervin Senadeera were also present on the occasion.