Govt. urged to retain vital labour laws

BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE

KANDY –

The All-Island Labour Tribunal Representatives Association has, in a memorandum, brought to the notice of Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva the need to retain the Labour Disputes Act and the Labour Compensation Ordinance.

Those laws were essential to safeguard the interests and rights of the workforce, the Association has said.

The memorandum has also informed Minister de Silva that the applicants who are victims of workplace injustices should be permitted to receive the services of their representatives and trade union representatives at the labour tribunals. During the last few years only lawyers were allowed to appear for the victims, who could not afford to retain lawyers.

 The memorandum signed by the Association’s President A. B. C. Perera, Secretary E. Cabraal and Joint Secretary S. M. R. Bandara says that workers will be at a disadvantage if the laws at issue were changed.