Five day week if TUs agree

Chaminda PERERA

The employers are ready for the implementation of five days week in keeping with the International Labour Conventions if the Trade Unions reach an agreement.

The Federation submitted a proposal for the implementation of five days week instead of five and half days in the private sector.

According to Employers' Federation Director General, Ravi Peiris, the employees may agree if the half day work on Saturday is annulled and working hours of a day is extended in lieu of half day on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Labour Relations and Productivity Ministry Secretary Upali Wijeweera yesterday confirmed that the National Labour Advisory Council has received such a proposal from the Employers' Federation.

He said such proposals can be implemented only with the agreement of all Trade Unions.

The SLFP Trade Union Sri Lanka Nidahas Sevaka Sangamaya has informed the Council at its last meeting on November 23 that provisions of the Trade Union Ordinance do not apply to the societies administered under the Cooperative Societies Act. The Union has said that the Cooperative Commission has given an interpretation to that effect.