PM Wickremesinghe makes statement on issues over budget proposals
The Prime Minister made a special statement in parliament with regard to issues raised by trade unions over the proposals of the 2016 budget.
Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that as a response to the demands made by trade unions, he reiterates that the EPF and the ETF, would be maintained as separate entities under the CBSL.
He added that a new management system would be introduced to prevent theft of these funds. Noting that the pensions of public sector employees will not be annulled in any way, the Prime Minister said a change would only be made to the pensions system.
He added that a sum of Rs.2,000 will be added to the basic salaries of public sector employees, at the beginning of next year, as the first phase of the scheme to add allowances to employees basic wages.
However, the Prime Minister guaranteed that at the point of retirement, all allowances would be added to employees basic salaries.
He went on to note that National Salaries Commission would be re-established and a comprehensive report would be obtained within six months.
The Prime Minister also guaranteed that all employees retiring from January 2016, would receive Agrahara medical insurance benefits.
The Prime Minister also requested the trade unions to hold discussions with the Chairmen of Banks and submit a common proposal with regard to removing pawning and leasing limits imposed on banks.
Explaining further, he added that the matter of the 2% tax on withdrawals exceeding one million rupees from bank accounts, would be studied and a decision would be made, after obtaining a report from the CBSL
In addition, he stated that no changes would be made to the eight-hour workday and that the Rs.2,500 wage hike for private sector employees would be granted from May 2016.
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