Pay hike for private sector employees

by Ananda Kannangara

[email protected]

Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne said there will be a 20 per cent pay hike for the private sector employees in his May Day message. The Minister said that in addition to the pay hike, the Government had on two other previous occasions increased the salaries of private sector employees by Rs. 6000.

He said this salary increase is applicable to all sections in the private sector including the workers in the garment and plantation sectors and also the small scale business enterprises.

When asked about the existing labour rules which were implemented by the Government some years ago to protect the employment rights of workers, Minister Seneviratne said that a majority of the private sector workers benefit by the existing labour laws and steps have been taken to crack down on employers who violate these laws.

He also said a special team of labour officials has been deployed to look into the employment problems and welfare facilities of workers in the Free Trade Zones.

He said no owner could close his factory without the prior approval of the Labour Secretary.

“However, if any employer closes the factory without a prior notice and leaves the country, steps will be taken to pay compensation to workers by selling the properties of the employer.

However, the Minister urged the workers to forward their complaints to the National Labour Advisory Board at the Labour Secretariat, Narahenpita.

Minister Seneviratne listened to some complaints by workers with regard to the non payment of the monthly Cost of Living (CoL) allowance by their institutions.

Minister Seneviratne also said a new scheme will be launched for employees to open an account in his/her name after 55 years and transfer the EPF fix deposits to enable the worker to obtain monthly interest. The Minister also said arrangements will be made from July, to grant a 30 per cent loan from the provident funds of each worker to enable him/her to construct a house or purchase lands.