EFC hosts workshop for South Asian Employers
Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) hosted the second annual
workshop for South Asian Employers’ Organisations last week.
The event, which was sponsored by the International Labor
Organization (ILO) and the Dutch Employers’ Corporation Programme (DECP),
aimed to build on work done in the previous year to establish an
informal network of employers’ organizations in South Asia which could
support and share best practices throughout the region.
Employers’ Organisations from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and
Afghanistan attended the South Asian Forum of Employers Organisations
(SAFE). The 2 day event looked at the changing role of Employers’
Organisations against the backdrop of evolving South Asian economies
which are becoming increasingly globalized.
Senior Specialist (Employers’ Activities) and former Director General
of the EFC, Gotabaya Dasanayaka from ILO's Bureau for Employers
Activities (ACT/EMP), highlighted the importance of strengthening these
inter-regional relationships. “Sub regional cooperation of this nature
is becoming increasingly important in the context of some the issues
that we face in our region in relation to the application and
interpretation of labour standards. “We have always pointed out that
labour standards must be
Interpreted, taking into account the peculiar vulnerabilities and the
economic capacities of each country. We cannot adopt uniform standards
and have a “one size fits all” approach.”
A key session for the participants involved a panel discussion with
Board members from five large organisations to understand which employer
organisation services were most utiltised by members and what else could
be provided.
Rohith Khosla, General Manager of Taj Lanka Hotels Ltd; Mrs. Dawn
Austin, Managing Director of Nidro Supply (Pvt) Ltd; Kishu Gomes, CEO of
Chevron Lubricants Lanka PLC; Roshan Rajadurai, CEO of Kahawatte
Plantations and Sunil G Wijesinha, Vice Chairman of the EFC all
confirmed how instrumental the EFC had been in facilitating harmonious
employer/employee relations whether via advising on labour issues,
arbitrating with unions or providing training on HR and staff
management.
They also unanimously agreed that the role of employers’
organisations in lobbying governments on behalf of commercial
organisations was essential.
During the wrap up session, it was agreed that South Asian Employers’
Organisations would work together in taking up common positions wherever
possible in relation to ILO related issues and issues of concern to
employers in the region.
It was thought that a common approach such as this would not only
strengthen regional cooperation but would also strengthen the employer's
voice in the region. |