Spreading of working hours:

EFC Director writes to Labour Minister

Ramani Kangaraarachchi

The Employers’ Federation of Colombo (EFC) Director General Ravi Peiris has written to the Labour and Labour Relations Minister.

Gamini Lokuge clarifying issues relating to the EFC proposal of spreading of working hours for a five day week with reference to their proposal made with regard to the above which clearly explained the propriety of spreading working hours of a weekly half holiday over the five days of the week he said that there has been some misunderstanding in relation to this matter, especially in the media and they would therefore wish to clearly clarify this proposal.

Firstly, he said that the proposal is not to have a uniform rule with regard to a five day week for the private sector.

The rationale behind the proposal is to enable employers who require the flexibility of spreading the working hours over the five days to do so without any additional payment.

Secondly, the working arrangements of a five day week therefore cannot be uniformly applied and what is required is to give the flexibility and the discretion to the employers and the workers in each establishment to decide on it. He requested the support of the Minister to make changes to give the flexibility required in working arrangements in terms of the proposal