NHREP launched

The National Human Resources and Employment Policy (NHREP) formulated by the Secretariat for Senior Ministers under the guidance of Human Resources Senior Minister DEW Gunasekara with the participation of all stakeholders representing public and private sectors, employer and employee organizations was launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees on October 30.

The NHREP would aim at full,productive and freely chosen employment for all in Sri Lanka. It would work toward a highly competent, globally competitive, multi-skilled and productive workforce in the country. It will improve incomes and the quality of life of the working population across different sectors and regions and would provide the fullest possible opportunity to workers without discrimination.

Finally, National Human Resources and Employment Policy would safeguard the basic rights and interests of workers in line with national labour laws and key international labour standards.

The declaration:

The National Human Resources and Employment Policy (NHREP) of the government provides the overarching policy framework to provide full, decent and productive employment to all Sri Lankans, on which basis human resource capabilities would be strengthened and employment opportunities created to make Sri Lanka the ‘Wonder of Asia'.

The Secretariat for Senior Ministers organized the launching of National Human Resources and Employment Policy of Sri Lanka on October 30. Resourceful stakeholder representatives contributed their in depth knowledge; discussed related issues and challenges; and provided valuable inputs for promoting human resources development, employment and productivity.

Recognizing the need for contribution of all Stakeholders towards human resources development, employment and productivity improvement and the need to strengthen and orient its current programmes to effectively respond to emerging needs of Sri Lankans in a changing global environment;

Realizing that Government of Sri Lanka has achieved considerable economic growth in the recent past, which transformed Sri Lanka into a dynamic and fast-growing nation and appreciating that human resources development and employment are central to economic growth;

Appreciating that investments in research and development and capital resources development, and government policies on trade openness are the driving forces behind improving living standards, and enhancing social inclusion in Sri Lanka;

Acknowledging the education, higher education, skills development, private sector development, entrepreneurship development, healthcare, information and communication technology (ICT) applications, are important areas in accelerating and sustaining growth in Sri Lanka;

Considering the varied challenges faced by Sri Lanka such as globalization, climate change, food security, high poverty incidence in rural communities, aging population, and growing social inequality; and Based on the recommendations of the NHREP of Sri Lanka, we hereby proclaim The Declaration on the Implementation of the National Human Resources and Employment Policy which embody the following actions to intensify human resources development and employment promotion to contribute to the achievement of the Vision of Sri Lanka - “The Wonder of Asia”.

Promote the attainment of full, productive and freely chosen employment for all women and men in Sri Lanka;

Improve incomes of the working population across different sectors and regions;

Enhance the productivity of the labour force for improving their competitiveness and employability;

Provide the fullest possible opportunity to each worker without discrimination, to quality for and to use his/her skills and endowments in a job for which he/she is well suited;

Safeguard the basic rights and interests of workers in line with national labour laws and key international labour standards;

Develop a highly competent, productive and motivated workforce

We urge all stakeholder organizations involved in the implementation of the National Human Resources and Employment Policy of Sri Lanka, jointly and severally, to commit to the adoption of these recommendations and obtain the support and cooperation of the relevant public and private sector organizations, worker and employer organizations non-governmental organizations, academia, regional and international institutions, and other stakeholders in the implementation of these recommendations. Signed:

Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs Secretary P.B. Abeykoon, Ministry of Public Management Reforms Secretary W.M. Bandusena, Ministry of Productivity Promotion Secretary Udaya Seneviratne, Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations Secretary Upali Wijayaweera, Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Secretary Nissanka M. Wijerathna, Ministry of Traditional Industries and Small Enterprises Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy, Ministry of Education Secretary, S.M.G. Jayaratna, Ministry of Higher Education Secretary Sunil Jayantha Nawarathna, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Secretary K.A. Thilakaratna, Employers Federation of Ceylon Director General Ravi Peiris, National Association of Trade Union Research and Education General Secretary T.M.R. Rasseedin, Secretariat for Senior Ministers Secretary/CEO, Mahinda Madihahewa.