No political will to address labour reforms: expert
Says industrial relation adversely impacted by selfish political interest at rural level Stresses any reforms brought in must be in line with the national interest, political and social realities Calls for the implementation of a Ilo-approved ‘National
The government came under harsh criticism by a former Director General of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon, who pointed out that no progress had been achieved in labour reforms in Sri Lanka due to “selfish political interest”, that has led to negative implication in the economy in terms of productivity.
“There is no point in us discussing reforms as we have done in the past few years because there is no political will to change. We need a plan.
“The average politician does not have any sympathy for the private sector. Specially at the rural level, industrial relation is adversely impacted by selfish political interest,” International Labour Organisation (ILO) Senior Specialist for Employers Organizations in East Asia and former EFC Director General Franklyn Amarasinghe said.
He made these comments delivering the keynote address at a recent public seminar titled ‘Making Employment Law Conducive for Investment in Sri Lanka’, organized by Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka together with CA Sri Lanka and International Chamber of Commerce, Sri Lanka, in Colombo.
During his address made before industry heads and politicians including Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Dr. Harsha de Silva, Amarasinghe said “despite the call for change, nothing has changed for the better”.
While stressing t hat t here is a nexus between policy delays, proper employment relations regimes, development of commerce and trade and wellbeing of the nation as a whole, Amarasinghe stressed that any reforms brought in must be in line with the national interest, political and social realities and be capable of being implemented without any groups of citizens being disadvantaged.
Within that, he noted that achieving political support for labour reforms is critical for the economic development of the country and in utilizing the engine of growth, the private sector.
“We have to be conscious of the ILO Conventions and other obligations cast on the country as a member of international organizations in terms of trade practices and such like. The suggestions which we make should have a holistic approach with benefits for both employers and employees and more importantly the economy,” elaborated Amarasinghe.
Amarasinghe, who has been involved in the areas of human resources and labour related issues, pointed out that in the current context, Sri Lanka needs to get a number of reforms right to reap any real benefit from its talent pool.
Further, he called for the implementation of a ‘ National Framework’ that was approved by the ILO and the government with the support of unions and employers.
Noting the framework should be implemented for the good of all segments of the society, he said it has obligations for all parties to fulfil.
“The government will gain much politically by implementing it, as it covers the duties of all three social partners,” he pointed out.