Mr. President,
Director General of the ILO,
Trade Union and Employer Representatives,
Excellencies,
Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is a great pleasure and a privilege to address this August assembly on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. I want to thank the ILO Director General for his timely report on the "Social Contract," which addresses the injustices, inequalities, and insecurities we face today, while reaffirming our commitment to social justice.
Mr. President,
The Sri Lankan economy began its recovery in 2023 following the deep crisis of 2022, which was already aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Decisive policy adjustments and structural reforms implemented by the Government, with the support of development partners, helped restore macroeconomic conditions significantly.
The economic adjustment program yielded promising outcomes in 2023. By the end of the year, inflation was contained at single-digit levels, and the economy expanded in the second half of 2023, ending two years of economic contraction. Foreign reserves have also been steadily increasing, bringing hope to our people. This progress is partly due to government interventions promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration for employment.
Mr. President,
Every successive Government has struggled to improve the living conditions of Ceylon tea plantation workers. Last month, we increased their salaries by 70%, the highest increment they have received in the last 200 years.
Mr. President,
I am pleased to inform the DG ILO that we are enacting a new labor law, the "Employment Act," to reform existing labor legislation, streamline the legal framework, eliminate discrimination, and address contemporary challenges in the world of work. Once enacted, this law will cover domestic workers, and we will ratify ILO Convention 189. Additionally, we plan to ratify ILO Conventions 155 and 190 with the enactment of this Act.
As a government, we believe in the importance of a comprehensive social security system, as outlined in ILO Convention 102. We are developing a comprehensive social security policy with the ILO's support.
Furthermore, my Ministry has embarked on a journey to bring social justice to informal sector workers. The "Dignity of Labour" program aims to enhance the recognition, safety, and dignity of informal sector workers nationwide. Under this program, informal sector workers will be organized, and national-level councils will be established based on their occupations to determine employment terms and conditions.
Mr. President,
We are also digitalizing the entire labor market by developing the National Labour Market Information System.
Mr. President,
Lastly, to increase female workforce participation and ensure decent work for women, we have initiated a program to train 10,000 care workers in collaboration with the ILO and the IOM Colombo Office. I urge representatives present here to support this initiative in any way possible. I thank you.
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