Job security my main concern - Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge

by Shirajiv Sirimane

A new fund would be established with the assistance of both the state and the private sector to protect the welfare of the employees,” said, the new Minister of Labour, Gamini Lokuge, adding that the fund would act like a buffer to workers who lose their jobs when companies put up their shutters. This has been happening especially with Board of Investment companies. “I am personally aware of several instances where the owners pack up all of a sudden and take their flights back have leaving the employee helpless,” he said.

He pointed out the case of the employees of Thulhiriya who had to face tremendous hardships for several years before this government intervened and settled the bank loans and introduced the institution to another investor. Today Thulhiriya is owned and operated by MAS Lanka Holdings.

He said that what he plans to do was to take a percentage from the EPF monies with a contribution from the new company as well and set up this fund. “This would also act like an insurance cover for the employees,” he pointed out.

Minister said that he had worked with trade unions for well over 25 years and knows the pulses of the workers well. “However, we must also take into account other concessions offered to the investors and should hold a balance for both parties,” he said.

He added that he was not keen to introduce any legislation that might be put away investors. But investors would have to be more responsible towards their employees in the event they decide to shut down their business venturer. “A new think tank is already studying these aspects, he said.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa was one time Minister of Labour and he had introduced many reforms during his time which were welcomed by both employer and the employee. “I will take a leaf from this and create a new culture to meet the demands of today and tomorrow,” he added.

The Minister however said that he is going to come down hard on bogus job agencies and companies which create major problems both here and overseas.”The field under aged Sri Lankans and charge high commissions and have degraded this market,” he said.

He hailed the move by the President to block women from going to the Gulf countries to work as house maids, which has created a bad image to the country and has also led to many social problems.”

Women should be trained in the fields of nursing, baby sitting and other more respectable professions and then sent abroad for employment. This not only will provide an additional income but also give them a better social status.”

More men could opt for overseas employment thereby keeping the family lives less complicated, the Minister suggested.

More emphasis would be given for vocational training and the private sector educationalists too could play a major role in coming out with new employment oriented counters for the international market.

Commenting on the North East human resources, he said that with the rapid development which is being spearheaded by both government and the private sector the youth in the North East will become self-sufficient very soon. “It is estimated that over 3,000 new hotel rooms would be built in the North East creating over 15,000 new jobs. In addition there would be several indirect jobs created in security, animal husbandry, agriculture and transport and many other sectors,” he said.

Asked as to why a legal channel could not be opened to field Sri Lanka labour for European countries, he agreed that this area too will be looked at.

“Sri Lanka has succeeded in obtaining a job quota from South Korea and we will certainly explore the European job market as well,” he assured.

Commenting on the recently concluded general elections where the government got a near two third majority as they believed in President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the government, he recalled when the President promised to end the war and he did it and on the same tone, he has promised to make Sri Lanka the `Wonder of Asia’, and he certainly going to achieve that goal.”