Contributory pension scheme for Lankans employed overseas

• Committee appointed to draft Bill to set up contributory pension scheme
• Decision in keeping with President’s election manifesto

Cabinet last week approved the appointment of a committee of experts to prepare the draft Bill for the establishment of a Contributory Social Security Fund for Sri Lankan workers employed overseas, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said.

He said there are between one million to 1.4 million Sri Lankan employed abroad, and they have made several requests that a social security scheme be introduced, so that they can benefit when they return to the country.

Gunawardena said in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National Policy Framework “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour”, he pledged to introduce such a contributory pension for Sri Lankans employed overseas, and the Cabinet proposal, presented on behalf of the Minister of Skill Development, Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena, was approved.