PM urges industrialists, business community to protect workers

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa this week urged all industrialists and the business community to protect their employees despite COVID-induced challenges.

He made this request during a discussion at Temple Trees on issues faced by the Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA) and the Sri Lanka Retailers Association (SLRA).

The representatives who attended the meeting spoke on issues such as obtaining bank loan concessions, resolving issues in opening letters of credit (LOCs), vaccinating garment workers, obtaining permission to open readymade garment shops as per COVID guidelines, Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ Trust Fund issues.

.A statement from Prime Minister’s office said Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association President Lalantha Wathudura commended the Prime Minister for launching a separate ministry for the production of batik handloom fabrics and local apparel.

The delegation pointed out that their business activities had been paralysed for nearly 24 months now due to the terrorist attack on Easter Sunday and the global epidemic of COVID-19 and requested the Prime Minister to provide emergency relief through the Ministry of Finance to maintain business and trade.

Representatives of these unions said it has also become difficult to keep employees in the business while maintaining business and that there was no other option except laying them off but it is also a difficult task.

Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, State Minister of Batik, Handloom Textiles and Local Apparel Production Dayasiri Jayasekara, State Minister of Money, Capital Markets and Public Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister Chaminda Kularatne, Additional Secretary, State Ministry of Batik, Handloom Textiles and Local Garment Production Sujeewa Palliyaguru, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena and officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank were also present.