Final talks on salary increase for private sector

President to meet labour delegation tomorrow:

By Ananda Kannangara

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A Labour Ministry delegation, headed by Labour Relations and Manpower Minister Athauda Seneviratne will meet President Mahinda Rajapaksa tomorrow in Colombo for the final discussion over the proposed salary increase of private sector employees.

The Labour Ministry delegation will comprise Labour Ministry Secretary Mahinda Madihahewa and several other trade union leaders affiliated to private sector wages boards.

The Gazette notification in regard to this salary increase will be issued on July 1 (Tuesday) or the date to be announced by the President. However, private sector institutions countrywide are liable to pay the increased salaries from July 1.

Ministry Secretary Madihahewa told the Sunday Observer yesterday that employees in different institutions and categories will receive a 15 per cent to 30 per cent salary increase according to the new structure.

He said some business enterprises were not in a sound financial position to pay the maximum 30 per cent increase and therefore the percentage will depend on the nature of each establishment.

“However, all employers must adhere to the proposed salary structure of 15 per cent to 30 per cent and stringent action will be taken against lawbreakers,” he said.

Meanwhile, a senior Labour Ministry official said that Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne had extensive talks with 46 Wages Control Board officials and several employers in leading private sector institutions during the past two months over the new salary structure and they had also aired their grievances to the Minister.

It is reported that the Minister had responded positively and assured to bring all matters to the attention of President Rajapaksa.

He said that the new salary increase will not affect employees who have already signed collective agreements with their managements.