George Steuart assures staff full pay and job security

Saturday, 11 April 2020 00:45 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Diversified venture George Steuart and Company has assured its staff full pay and job security despite the impact from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

“The Board and I would like to reassure you and your family of your job security and that you will continue to receive your full salary,” George Steuart Chairman Dilith Jayaweera has told the staff in a memo.

This assurance however comes after acknowledging that the country, the Sri Lankan way of life and the economy were facing an “unprecedented challenge”.

“Uncharted and daunting waters lie ahead of us, but we believe that we will overcome it together. Our corporate philosophy, culture and values are unique. We believe in purpose beyond profit and happiness of one and all,” has said.

“Over the years, you have sacrificed and committed towards our organisational goals. You have stood by us and believed in us through choppy waters. You are our greatest asset.

We understand the current uncertainty and anxiety is weighing heavily on you and your family. The Board and I would like to reassure you and your family of your job security and that you will continue to receive your full salary,” the memo to the staff added.

Jayaweera said the 1835-established George Steuart would reengineer its offering, use creative thinking, and work harder, smarter and faster to somehow weather the storm ahead.

The Group with a employee strength of 800 has interests in tea, travel and tourism, healthcare, recruitment, aviation, investments and insurance, among others.

“Your relentless commitment, determination and adaptability are needed now more than ever before. Together we will make it to calmer shores,” he has told the George Steuart staff.

Noting that Sri Lanka was a blessed and resilient nation, Jayaweera has added: “We have overcome many obstacles in the past. During the 185 years our company has been in existence, we have experienced the best of times and the worst. That’s why we believe that in the not-too-distant future, this too will go down as yet another obstacle we have overcome. We believe in the credo that ‘Sri Lanka Can’ and together we will triumph.”

Similar assurance has been given by Jayaweera to rest of his businesses which collecytively employ 2,500.