News
Over 12,000 estate workers deprived of EPF, ETF, gratuity amounting to Rs 1,888 mn
Shocking case of dereliction of duty by bureaucrats:
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Estate workers have not been able to secure arrears of EPF, ETF and gratuity payments amounting to Rs 1,888 mn due to the absence of a proper mechanism to implement recommendations made by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL),
The non-implementation of recommendations made by the HRCSL in August 2019 pertaining to 12,000 workers of the Janatha Estate Development Board (JEDB), Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation (SLSPC), and Elkaduwa Plantations Limited had been inquired into by the HRCSL following representations made by some of those affected. The incumbent HRCSL Chairperson retired Supreme Court Justice Rohini Marasinghe on Wednesday summoned a meeting to explore ways and means of resolving the long-standing issue.
Authoritative sources told The Island that though all three plantations companies had been asked to attend a meeting summoned by the HRCSL on March 23, only JEDB attended along with senior representatives of relevant ministries.
Sources said that the monies that had been deducted from the salaries of workers were not remitted to the Central Bank and the retired workers deprived of their gratuity.
Sources explained that the original complaint had been received way back in 2013 and the recommendations made in late 2019 and none of those responsible took tangible measures to implement specific recommendations.
According to the HRCSL document signed by the then HRCSL Commissioners Ramani Muttetuwegama and H. Gazali Hussein, the JEDB owed workers Rs 885 mn, SLSPC Rs 664 mn and Elkaduwa Plantations Rs 339 mn.
Sources said that the Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development, Department of Labour and the Central Bank were the other respondent parties.
Sources said that the ministries had turned a blind eye to the plight of the workers regardless of the HRCSL recommendations brought to their notice.
The HRCSL has received an assurance from the JEDB that all due payments of former estate workers of the Estates of JEDB would be settled on or before Nov 2, 2022. However, SLSPC and Elkaduwa plantation companies hadn’t so far indicated how they intended to address the issues, sources said. The HRCSL would soon call them for a meeting to seek an explanation regarding their absence at the March 22 meet.
Sources said that the issues pertaining to estate workers had been handled in a lethargic manner by the Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Enterprise and Kandy Development, Department of Labour and Central Bank. Specific recommendations/ instructions meant to provide relief to the workers had been discarded so far, sources said, adding that the HRCSL intended to pursue this matter vigorously.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
