February 02, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has formally requested the assistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in facilitating the government’s endeavour to establish a robust dispute prevention and resolution mechanism within the public service.
The request was made during a meeting at Temple Trees yesterday (01), where ILO Country Director Joni Simpson, accompanied by United Nations Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche, paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.
Expressing gratitude for the Prime Minister’s initiative and the Cabinet of Ministers’ approval of the proposal, the delegation assured full support for the implementation of the envisaged mechanism.
Emphasising the significance of the mechanism, they highlighted its dual purpose of resolving existing disputes and preventing future conflicts through a tripartite dialogue system.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Gunawardena provided insights into the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic crisis on the labour workforce.
He outlined both short-term and long-term measures implemented by the government to foster economic recovery while addressing the needs of labourers, especially those in the low-income bracket.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Gunawardena underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing the upward mobility of the country’s labour workforce.
He detailed various training programmes initiated for skill development, emphasising that improving the quality and quantity of jobs is integral to lifting people out of poverty.
Highlighting Sri Lanka’s adherence to ILO regulations, the Prime Minister pointed out that the nation has created opportunities for both men and women to secure productive employment in conditions characterised by freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.
The discussion included Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake and UN Country Office Analyst Nethali Madawala.
