Sri Lanka: Migrant Workers to Receive a Pension Scheme

The United Peoples Freedom Alliance government is making arrangements to introduce a pension scheme or a similar scheme to strengthen economic conditions of the migrant workers in Sri Lankans soon.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing a group of migrant workers from several Middle Eastern countries said that he had already directed the officials to provide him a feasible report over the issue. “The migrant workers who dedicate their young age to strengthen country’s economy should not be left alone when they become old . It is the responsibility of the government to take some measurers”, the President said.

The President reiterating their yeomen service for the country’s economy d emphasized the need of country paying gratitude for them.

Meanwhile, the government has also taken a decision to increase the salaries of teachers and principals with effect from July 2008. Education Minister Susil Premjayantha at a press briefing in Colombo announced that the government had plans to increase the salaries of the education sector employees, but the disastrous war with the LTTE terror outfit did not allow them go for that decision.

“The salary increase will vary from Rs.1005 to Rs. 2685 according to the grades of the employees. In addition to the salary increase, an allowance of Rs. 645 recommended by a court ruling will also be paid to the teachers’, the Education Minister added.

Minister Premajayantha assured that the circular was issued on the recommendations of the National Salaries and Cadre Commission and the accumulated arrears of the increased salary from July 2008 will be given in two three installments.

- Asian Tribune -