Govt ready for discussions on private pension scheme with stakeholders

Hemanthi Guruge

The government yesterday said that it is not in a hurry to table the proposed private pension Bill in Parliament. According to UPFA General Secretary and Petroleum Resources Minister Susil Premajayantha, the government is ready to discuss it with trade unionists and all stakeholders in the near future.

Addressing a UPFA press conference yesterday, the Minister said that measures will be taken to introduce a pension scheme without any scaling down of employees’ benefits.

‘The proposed pension scheme introduced by the government with a good intention will help the employees to enjoy a fruitful retirement.

‘The rapidly increasing elderly population in our country, necessitates the need of pension of a some sort very urgently,’ Minister said.

‘If not there will be a a huge social problem one day. Private sector employees will be entitled to their pension in addition to EPF and ETF.

The Minister also pointed out that most of the employees are not fully aware of the details of the proposed private sector pension scheme and its benefits.

The Minister rejected the accusation that have been put forward that the government is trying to take away money from the EPF and ETF.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that steps will be taken to educate all private sector employees about the proposed private sector pension scheme. The policy of the government is to strengthen the working class.

National Language and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said that the proposed private sector pension scheme is a great step taken by the government for the benefit of a large number of private sector employees.