Trade Unions (TU) want Government to withdraw the proposed private sector pension Bill.
Joint Secretary- Free Trade Zone Workers Union and General Services Employees Union, Anton D. Marcus said that the 20 TUs he represents want the controversial Employees Pension Benefits Fund Bill as presented to Parliament last month, withdrawn, and instead, discussions be held with unions, prior to introducing a new Bill.
“The authorities must consult with the TUs before introducing a pension scheme for the private sector, and once the modalities are worked out, they can draft a new piece of legislation,” he said.
The Joint Trade Union Alliance which consists of 26 TUs too, wants the Bill withdrawn. Saman Ratnapriya of the Alliance said that their position too is that the Bill in its present form should not be enacted. “We want a new Bill to be introduced, but that is after consultations with the relevant TUs,” he said.
Mr. Ratnapriya said that the Bill in its present form is totality unacceptable, and is a first step towards private sector employees being denied the benefits they now enjoy upon retirement, such as the Employees Provident Fund and the gratuity payment.Meanwhile, the Supreme Court which took up the hearing of a petition filed by the TU, challenging the constitutionality of the Bill, postponed its hearing till Monday.
Government says it will await the Supreme Court’s determination on the Bill, before deciding how to proceed with it. |
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