Bill to raise private sector salaries by Rs. 2,500 in Parliament soon

Labour and Trade Union Relations Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne at the media briefing – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Labour and Trade Union Relations Minister W.D.J. Seneviratne yesterday said the draft bill on a salary increment of Rs. 2,500 for private sector employees would be tabled as soon as possible. 

Addressing the media briefing of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), Seneviratne, who is also the party’s Vice President, stated the draft bill had already been handed over to the Attorney General to seek legal advice.

“This increment will benefit over 8.5 billion private sector employees,” he noted.

Seneviratne added that the Ministry expected to table the draft bill on a minimum wage limit of Rs. 10,000 for private sector workers by the end of this year. 

“Most private sector employees who are working more than 10 hours per day get low wages, between Rs. 7,000 to Rs. 9,000. That amount is not enough to look after a family. We expect to offer them a sufficient salary,” he expressed.

Commenting on salary increments of plantation workers, he said the National Labour Advisory Council (NLAC) had conducted discussions with employers and trade unions to renew the collective agreements.

“During the discussions workers and trade unions requested a minimum salary of Rs. 1,000 per day, but the employers refused to provide that much. However, we will continue the discussions to come up with better solutions which will be beneficial for all parties,” Seneviratne stated.