The Hon. Chandana Sooriyaarachchi

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, today’s amendment adds to the earlier 1974 amendment under the Shops and Office Employees Act, No. 19 of 1954. Earlier, women could be employed at night for specified duties such as reception, ladies’ cloak rooms, garments stores and sanitation. Now, an addition is made to include food and beverage service attendants.

¶ 02 There are important conditions: where they cannot travel to their usual residence after duty, residential accommodation must be provided; if they can travel, safe transport must be provided. Our unions represented at the NLAC requested that women’s express consent be obtained for such assignments. All such concerns have been addressed in this amendment.

¶ 03 Given national needs to revive the economy and the new growth in tourism, while women constitute about 52% of the population, their labour force participation is about 34%. This amendment will help increase participation, strengthen economic stability, and enhance women’s economic capability and social engagement.

¶ 04 A Member earlier asked whether this Government treats the Malaiyagam people unfairly. For 200 years the Malaiyagam community has been here, but even governments represented by that Member failed to do justice to them. The current Government is creating a better life for all and is taking steps to rectify injustices suffered by Malaiyagam people over two centuries—housing, roads, sanitation, and related needs are being improved. It is regrettable that some Opposition Members, who failed them in the past, now criticize while we are delivering.

¶ 05 Some Opposition groups governed for decades, believing a government like ours would never come to power; they abused power, with corruption and malpractice. The people’s mandate brought this Government, which is now acting as the public expects—ending corruption and stabilizing the economy that others bankrupted; increasing production and exports; ending divisive nationalism and working for national harmony; restoring workers’ rights; increasing salaries by 66% and increments by 80%; reinstating the full pension scheme; restoring housing and property loans for public servants; increasing disaster loans from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs; removing pay anomalies and enhancing professionalism in the public service as per the President’s Budget proposals. Some Opposition groups are disturbed and attempt to mislead the public, aided by certain trade union groups.

¶ 06 Ultimately, this amendment enables women to participate safely in the economy and labour market. The National People’s Power Government is governing more democratically and worker-friendly than any previous government, protecting workers’ rights and benefits. Thank you.