Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka By Viraj Kumar Peiris (PMP,MBCS) Member of National Trade Union Federation Affiliated with Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka  Total population - 20 million In Sri Lanka

Male

Female

Employed Population

8,417,674

5,498,815

2,918,859

Labour Force

8,802,113

5,677,815

3,124,298

96.8%

93.4%

Employment Rate 95.6%

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka Employed Population Spread as

Employed Population %

Total

Agriculture

Industry

Services

8,417,674

2,504,310

2,202,159

3,711,204

100

29.8

26.2%

44.1%

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka Social security provisions exist for both public sector and private sector employees: 1.Public Sector  The Pension Fund- Established in 1901  Public Servants Provident Fund (PSPF) - Administered under Public Service Provident Fund Act 1942

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka

2. Private Sector ∗ The Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) administered under Act No. 46 of 1980 is an interim benefit designed to assist the employee during his/her working life ∗ The Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) administered under Act No. 15 of 1958 is a retirement benefit .

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka

2. Private Sector (Contd,)∗ The Payment of Gratuity - Act No. 12 of 1983 is a payment made to employees who have served continuously for five years and more under one employer, is entitle and same is calculated on the basis - A half month salary (1/2) per year for the number of years served. 6

Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka

∗ Section 17 of Shop and Office Employees Act, 1954 requires the employer to furnish the particulars of a worker's employment on the start of his/her work.  Job and its grade/scale  Wage period  Overtime rates payable and other conditions of employment. (Regulation 15)

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka Sexual Harassment at Workplace - Sction 345 of the Sri Lankan Penal Code)  The perpetrator of harassment may be punished either with imprisonment up to a term of five years, or with fine, or both. Labour Inspection System - Labour Inspection system seems quite in line with the provisions of C081 as Sri Lanka became the first South Asian country to launch the Labour Inspection System Application. The system allows the labour Ministry to better coordinate its labour administration institutions in country's 56 labour department offices. 8

Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka

∗ Maternity Leave - The duration of maternity leave is 84 days excluding weekly holidays, Poya days and statutory holidays (Shops and Office Employees Act).

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka 3. Workers in the Informal Economy

∗ In 2007 approximately 4.4 million persons(83% of total employment) involved in this category 

Three public social security schemes provide benefits for special group of workers  Farmers  Fisherman  Self employed person

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka What we do ∗ The prime goal of the federation is to promote Trade union unity to raise the collective voice of the working class to practice decent work norms and freedom of association to lead a life of dignity and equality.

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka What we do (Contd,)  Commenced its workers’ education activities ∗ ∗ ∗ ∗

Trade Union Unity, Gender Development, International Labour Standards, Decent Work and Trade Union Leadership Development

 Literacy Rate is in Sri Lanka 92.7 12

Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka Key Problems / Challenges ∗ Females seeking employment outside the home. There is therefore, no doubt that family roles and responsibilities have been transformed as a result of the changes that are taking place in the family structure.

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka Key Problems / Challenges Despite the changing family structure, social protection programmes in Sri Lanka have continued to support and improve family well-being. a) b) c) d)

Physical safety and physical and mental health Supportive intra-family relationships Social connections outside the family Economic security and independence 14

Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka Key Problems / Challenges ∗

According to the Trade Unions Ordinance No 14 of 1935 of Sri Lanka, a trade union is an association or a combination of workmen or employers whether temporary or permanent.

∗

But as a result of the pressure exerted by the Madras based Colonial Government of India, the Ceylon Colonial Government was compelled to introduce minimum labour standards to safeguard the rights of Tamil immigrant laborers. On the other hand in the light of the expansion of the plantation industry a number of other industries too emerged such as highway construction, railway transportation, banking, printing, postal service etc.

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The workers who were employed in these organizations were Sri Lankan indigenous workers and were subject to labor exploitation.

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During that time trade unions were taboo and strikes were treated as criminal offences under the Service Contract Ordinance

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Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka

Questions ? 16

Social Protection Schemes in Sri Lanka

Thank you 17