Categories: Headlines

Amend Shop and Office Employees Act: Seneviratne

Former Trade Union Relations Minister and MP W.D.J. Seneviratne today called for the amendment of the Shop and Office Employees Act.
Speaking at the committee stage debate of the budget, MP Seneviratne said the Shop and Office Employees Act needed to be amended for the benefit of a large number of workers at supermarkets and department stores.
“The act was introduced in the 1950s. At the time, there weren’t many supermarket chains and department stores. However, the situation is different today because we have such outlets in abundance. Those who work in these establishments have to work on all seven days of the week. They do not get any holiday. They have to work even on May Day. The government should take this issue seriously,” he said.
On a different note, he also called for the amendment of the Labour Tribunal Act.
“I have discussed the matter with the Labour Tribunal Minister. In the past, trade union representatives had the right to represent an employee at the labour tribunal. However, a decision has been taken to allow only lawyers to represent them. Most of the employees cannot afford to retain a lawyer. This is an issue as most of the cases are dismissed in the absence of an individual to represent the plaintiff. I looked into it when I was the Labour Minister. I even prepared an amendment to the Labour Tribunal Act and sent it to the Attorney General, but to no avail. I urge the government to amend this act,” he said.

AddThis Website Tools
Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – AKD off to Germany tomorrow

LNP – AKD off to Germany tomorrow

President Anura Kumara Disanayake will undertake an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany…

18 hours ago
LNP – Five Jewish Rabbis performing Kosher chicken processing on visit visa arrested by Immigration Dept

LNP – Five Jewish Rabbis performing Kosher chicken processing on visit visa arrested by Immigration Dept

Five Jewish Rabbis, including three Israelis who were performing Kosher on the poultry products of…

19 hours ago
LNP – SriLankan Airlines plans to fly from turbulence to clear skies

LNP – SriLankan Airlines plans to fly from turbulence to clear skies

In its plan for increasing the fleet to 25, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, is…

19 hours ago
LNP – Suspended Commissioner General of Prisons arrested

LNP – Suspended Commissioner General of Prisons arrested

The Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Upuldeniya, who was suspended from duty today (09), has…

1 day ago
LNP – Mahindananda’s lawyers file appeal over prison sentence

LNP – Mahindananda’s lawyers file appeal over prison sentence

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s lawyers have filed an appeal before the Supreme Court against the…

1 day ago
LNP – Wife of former State Minister arrested over Rs. 700 Mn tax evasion

LNP – Wife of former State Minister arrested over Rs. 700 Mn tax evasion

Kushani Nanayakkara, a businesswoman and the wife of former State Minister Dunesh Gankanda, has been…

2 days ago