The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC), in a statement, listed its expectations from the new Government. Following is the full statement issued by WCIC Chairperson Chathuri Ranasinghe.
Great victories mean great expectations. The convincing landslide is an expression of the great hopes of the people for a new era of peace, growth and stability. The mandate given to the Government is to rejuvenate the economy with new and bold initiatives.
The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) has immense confidence that the newly elected Parliament will:
- Recognise the opportunity to engage women in a meaningful manner contributing to the economy, whilst retaining their fundamental responsibilities
- Facilitate opportunities for women entrepreneurs, especially the SMEs, to make a greater contribution to the economy
- Create a futuristic education policy which would deliver required skills and competencies for businesses, ensure we keep pace with the digital advancements using emerging technology
- Support job creation and the realisation of entrepreneurial aspirations, by providing a robust framework
- Safeguard academic and professional ambitions of women
- Ensure safe and hassle free environment at Workplace and Public Transport
- Enact policies to ensure the safety and security of women and children at all times
- Facilitate greater female participation in all areas, providing equal opportunity for qualified women
- Ensure all citizens obey the rule of law and directives issued to the public for their own safety - law should applicable to all and no preferential treatment based on individual status
- To stamp out the drug menace with more stringent laws as these affect all citizens and are a menace to society
- Ensure foreign employment generates guaranteed pay and adequate humane conditions
- Explore how to ensure minimum standards for all labour within Sri Lanka, pay as well as facilities
- Drive for a “self-sufficient Sri Lanka”, with aggressive accelerated development of entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector, supporting agriculture by creating a robust supply chain philosophy
In a free market economy, the business community drives the engine of growth. The crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic can be eradicated only through a carefully-structured plan, which the Government has to passionately facilitate. In times of grave crisis, Governments have always stepped in to rescue the economy by stimulating the private sector. The future of the economy and business community depends on the extent to which the Government and the business community can build mutually constructive and cooperative consultative mechanisms and norms for speedy growth. We hope the new Government that is taking shape will address these pertinent needs of the nation.
