Lankan migrant workers display labour maturity

"Sri Lankan workers are committed to social dialogue who recognise the importance of trade unions in building a decent working environment" Director of ILO office in Colombo, Tine Staermose said.

"The ILO international standards have helped to ensure that as more wealth is created by global commerce which is distributed fairly", Staermose said, while addressing a ceremony on Friday to launch the National Framework on Social Dialogue to mark the 90th anniversary of ILO.

"The Decent Work Agenda of the ILO puts a human face on employment issues and shows that for sustainable development, work should be about quality and quantity.

Secretary, Ministry of Labour Relations and Manpower, Mahinda Madihahewa said one of the main causes for major industrial disputes is the non recognition of trade unions due to lack of mutual respect of social partners.

"A culture based on recognising human dignity and reappraising human work should be promoted.Such a culture creates the need for an environment of dialogue and agreement between the management and workers", he said.

The primary aim of social dialogue is to promote consensus building among stakeholders in the world of work, representatives of governments, employers and workers.

(LF)