National wages policy for private sector

Rajmi Manatunga

The Government has decided to formulate a national wages policy for Sri Lanka's private sector in line with international standards.

The objective of the policy will be to ensure that private sector employees receive a salary proportionate to their Labour, Labour Relations and Man Power Minister Athauda Seneviratne said.

"Whereas a national salary policy for the Government sector is already in the pipeline, no attention had been drawn to take a similar measure with regard to the private sector.

We consider it necessary for the private sector to have a similar policy," he said.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has extended assistance to the Sri Lankan Government for this purpose.

"The initial steps towards formulating the policy have already been taken. We hope the measure would ensure that private sector workers do not have to resort to trade union action to win salary demands," he added.