SL businesses maintaining low-carbon workplaces - EFC
Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI
Sri Lankan businesses are leading the way in transforming the
country's economy with sustainable, low-carbon workplaces that provide
decent work for people. A survey report by the Employers' Federation of
Ceylon (EFC) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization
has revealed.
The EFC found out which organizations were implementing green
initiatives and evaluated just how green their actions really were. The
report will be launched on 7 June at 4.30 pm at Taj Samudra Hotel
Colombo. EFC Director General Ravi Peiris
said that last year, The EFC in collaboration with the ILO enlisted
consultants from the University of Moratuwa to conduct a comprehensive
survey amongst its 500 plus member organizations.
The 15 page survey asked companies to give as much detail as possible
on various aspects of their business operations and labour initiatives
in order to ascertain the organizations' overall commitment to
environmentally friendly and socially sustainable business practices.
As well as questions about use of renewable energy, conserving
natural resources and responsible waste disposal, the survey also asked
questions to assess the existence of the decent work concept within an
organization. The ILO defines the concept of Decent Work as the
provision of productive work that generates adequate social protection,
as well as an adequate income and where the rights of the worker are
protected.
The purpose of the survey which is part of an Asia-wide project
conducted by the ILO is to identify and promote sustainable enterprises
in Sri Lanka which are already creating productive and decent jobs in
the country.
Although the project is being conducted by five countries in the Asia
region, Sri Lanka via the EFC is the only country carrying out a study
to highlight and disseminate the best green practices in different
industry sectors through a series of case studies which will be revealed
at the event.
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