The Government is considering setting-up an Employee Disaster Relief Fund to provide assistance to employees experiencing severe financial need due to unexpected and unavoidable emergencies such as the current COVID 19 pandemic.
Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said yesterday it is high time for Sri Lanka to have a guaranteed fund like some other countries have to provide emergency assistance to employees during an unexpected disaster.
The Minister told the ‘Daily News’ that his ministry has already set the wheels in motion to establish such a fund and talks have begun with employers, trade unions and International Labour Organization among others.
“The relief Fund can provide financial assistance for basic necessities to employees who are experiencing financial hardships as a result of an unexpected disaster. The intention is to help those who do not have other resources to help themselves”, the minister said.
He said even in the face of an unprecedented challenge, the Government has given priority to relief measures. “So far, we have spent Rs. 70 billion to provide relief to the people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and for other related activities such as identification of patients, quarantine activities, and random testing”.
The minister explained that in the Government sector everybody is getting full salaries. “In the private sector we entered into a tripartite agreement where employers have to pay Rs.14500 or half the salary whatever is the maximum, even if employees do not come to work due to reasons such as lockdowns. If people come to work full salaries have to be paid”.
The minister said if factories cannot run at all due to loss of orders etc. then there was provision under the Termination of Employment Act to provide compensation to employees. “Such companies should come before the Commissioner of Labour and get permission having stated the facts and following an inquiry if the commissioner is satisfied that a factory cannot be opened then they have to pay compensation according to a formula stated in the above Act”.
“But unfortunately in our country we do not have a guaranteed fund like some other countries to help workers during an unexpected disaster like this. We have not thought about it earlier. It is now high time to think about a fund like this where the employer, employees and maybe other donors contribute some money which is kept in reserves and pay the workers in a situation like this. Not only COVID 19, but other disasters may happen in future. We are discussing with employers and trade unions. Response has been very positive so far. We are also in contact with ILO and other stakeholders on how to establish such a fund”.
The minister said still the discussions to set up such a fund were at a preliminary stage and added that more information will be unveiled as soon as a basic structure is formulated.
(Daily News)