Manthai Salt company workers compensated

Suraj A Bandara in Vavuniya

All former employees of the Manthai Salt Company which was shut down due to LTTE terror in the 1990s will be paid compensation and arrears at a function held in Vavuniya yesterday.

Labour Relations and Productivity Promotion Minister Gamini Lokuge participating at the event said financial allocations were granted through a special Cabinet paper.

Over Rs 155 million were granted as compensation to the former workers of the Manthai Salt Company.

The Minister noted that 371 employees stood to benefit under the compensation scheme.

Among them 49 employees have already died after the company ceased to function, the Minister said. Their family members will be paid the compensation instead.

Twenty five former employees of the company were given compensation amounting to Rs 15 million by the Minister yesterday. All other employees will be similarly paid compensation in the future.

The Minister urged all employees who were in employment when the company was closed down and not listed for the compensated as to come forward and prove their identify and receive the compensation from the Labour Ministry through the regional district Secretariats, he said.

Labour relations Ministry Secretary Mahinda Madihahewa said the strong hand behind this victorious achievement is Union Leader Bala Thampoe.

He worked hard for the rights of the employees right throughout and was the driving force behind this compensation campaign, he said.