Winning the economic war, our aim - Minister Gamini Lokuge

By Ananda KANNANGARA

Labour Minister Gamini Lokuge said people in the country remember the Government's victory of defeating the 30-year-old war. President Mahinda Rajapaksa's next target is to win the economic war on terrorism.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer, Minister Lokuge said the Government has already started many development projects in the country and people will reap the benefits in the near future.

Minister Lokuge, a leading trade unionist predicted that there will be no protest campaigns, work stoppages and demonstrations after winning the economic war.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Everyday we hear about demonstrations, staged by workers over salary increases. What are the steps taken by you as the Labour Minister to settle this demand of the working class?

A: The Government has increased salaries of workers many times , but a section of people were in the habit of demanding more and more increases and they are not reasonable demands. These people are backed by bankrupt trade unions for political gains. I should also say that the Government is increasing the salaries of State and private sector employees every year.

Q: You said demanding the Government to increase salaries over and over again by workers is not reasonable. Could you explain?

A: Recently we increased the salaries of employees in the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) by 25 percent and it is unfair to demand another salary increase. CEB workers do not understand that such unfair demands inconvenience consumers. If the CEB increases salaries of workers, then it will also affect to the monthly electricity bill. I think a section of people were trying to put the Government into trouble by making such unfair demands.

Q: Almost all universities have been closed indefinitely due to a salary increase demand made by University lecturers. As a result undergraduates are stranded and they have given up hope regarding future examinations. As you are aware some university students are going to seek justice from the judiciary to solve this problem. How do you see their demands?

A: The demands made by University lecturers are unfair as the Government has already increased their salaries. A university professor draws a higher monthly salary than a judge. Remember how we amicably settled the strike launched by non academic staff of universities. University lecturers who are educated should be able to understand this problem.

Q: Parents of university students blame the Government for not taking action to settle the strike. I think closing universities for such a long period would have an impact on the Government. Why can't the authorities take a decision on this matter?

A: I believe that hidden political hands are behind this strike. The motive of strikers is to bring down the reputation of the Government and not to achieve any other thing.

Q: There are a large number of unemployed youth in the country, what steps have been taken by the Government to provide jobs to them?

A: The unemployment problem is not only in Sri Lanka, but world over. As you know the youth population is getting accumulated to the unemployment category every year. There are state sector jobs and private sector jobs . Unlike many other governments, the present Government has so far given many state sector jobs to youth in the country.

There is also a marked improvement in giving jobs by the private sector. Even village youth have found jobs in mercantile establishments such as garment factories. The Government has also discussed with foreign investors about setting up of new ventures and I believe the unemployment problem will be completely solved in the near future.

Q: You said when the Government is going to start any viable program for the benefit of the people, a few conspirators were trying to sabotage it and create problems. Could you explain?

A: Yes, there are conspirators whose job is to weaken whatever program going to be implemented by the Government. The main objective of these conspirators are to stop Government activities.

Q: People are of the view that the Government will bring down the cost of living. What do you think about the high prices of food items and other commodities?

A: The Government has already reduced the prices of some essential items, including gas. The Government's next plan is to reduce prices of essential items by developing the country in agriculture.

"Due to granting the fertilizer subsidy, the country is now self-sufficient in rice.

The Government has also plans to grant relief to other agricultural products such as tea, coconut and vegetables."

Q: Do you have any proposals to increase salaries of private sector employees?

A: The minimum salary of the private sector worker is Rs. 12,500 . We have also focused attention towards workers engaged on contract jobs and we have plans to make them permanent, considering their future prospects.

"We also have appointed authorities to check whether the private sector institutions duly send EPF and ETF deductions to the Labour Department. As far as I know some companies do not deduct EPF and ETF from employees and we should take action against them.

Q: A proposal was brought by the Labour Department, to pay 30 percent loan to employees from the EPF, but it has not yet been implemented.

A: After settling some problems, relating to this matter, we expect to pay 30 percent to employees from their EPF deductions.

Q: The COL index has not yet been gazetted. What are your comments?

A: It has been gazetted only on two occasions. We hope to gazette it again.

Q: What's your comment on Child Labour?

A: When compared with other countries, child labour in our country has declined. We have already brought strict laws to eliminate child labour.