Labour Dept. extends survey of COVID-19-hit biz till 15 May

• Deadline changed after companies request more time 
• Survey results to be presented in interim report to Minister for policymaking

The deadline for e-survey submissions by COVID-19-affected private sector establishments has been extended till 15 May, the Department of Labour said yesterday.

The earlier deadline was 3 May and the Department of Labour requested private sector companies to complete the e-survey, available at https://forms.gle/pE64ygeuHrK7TZxH9 or through its official website, www.labourdept.gov.lk

“We have received a favourable response from the private sector companies as well as a request for more time. Therefore we have extend the deadline till 15 May,” Labour Commissioner General A. Wimalaweera told the Daily FT.

He said that the data collected through the survey is extremely important to take appropriate decisions in terms of protecting both the business and employment. 

At present, there are over 86,000 companies employing 2.6 million registered under the Department of Labour.

“If we receive at least over 25,000 responses, an interim report will be submitted to the Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,” the Commissioner General said.

The e-survey has required details ranging from nature of the business; total number of employees employed as at the end of February; if the business is open, the total number of employees working at present; reasons for establishment closing or for partial operation; in the case of the business closing down, if they expect to reopen and reasons for not reopening.

Other queries include whether companies have already terminated their permanent/probationary/contract/part-time/casual employees and how many; if there are any plans to reduce/terminate employees in the future due to the impact of COVID-19 and how many; if steps had been taken to pay employees the April salary even if the business had been closed; and if the business is to remain closed in the upcoming months, how they expect to pay workers who have been made to stay at home.

The Labour Department is also keen to find out the financial losses suffered by companies on account of COVID-19 from January to end March; and the projected financial losses from April to end June; if businesses have obtained/applied for the loan granted by the Government at the 4% interest rate to support working capital; and what they expect from the Government to mitigate the impact on their businesses.

Conglomerates and diversified businesses are required to fill in individual forms for each business. The Department of Labour has assured confidentiality regarding the data provided. (CdeS)