The Hon. (Prof.) Anil Jayantha

¶ 01 Hon. Chairman, I believe enacting the new Employment Statute will provide a sound foundation on the path to building better production relations in Sri Lanka. We are very open. However, I must clarify that when we rush and act hastily, only the interests of selected parties tend to be served. There were protests from worker groups regarding this Bill—especially from women workers’ unions. If we had proceeded amidst such opposition, problems would have kept recurring, and we would only be firefighting. Therefore, we must change that approach.

¶ 02 When combining around 13 statutes, there were fundamental technical issues and inconsistencies. We addressed these in redrafting the basic text. Going forward, under Cabinet approval, we will appoint a committee and undertake this task with the participation of all stakeholders. In doing so, we will focus not merely on narrow bargaining between isolated parties under collective agreements or regulations, but on how, within production relations, we increase the productivity of goods produced in the country. We must also examine everyone’s responsibilities. Traditional trade union issues often pit unions pressing their demands against employers refusing them, creating conflict. In collective bargaining, the side with social and financial power typically prevails, which is the ultimate property-based method. Instead of creating conflict, bargaining within it, and signing agreements, we aim to build production relations that minimize conflict and ensure industrial peace.