CISC moots Electronic Identity Card for construction labourers
View(s):An action programme entailing retirement/pension scheme for the construction labourers has been proposed by the Construction Industry Skills Council (CISC).
The existing administrative and documentation procedures and methodology in implementing the EPF and ETF schemes are very much archaic and not compatible with the construction industry and practically does not serve the purpose, the CISC has said in a letter to the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The CISC has proposed to the authorities by the submission dated 24th October 2017 to issue an Electronic Identity Card linked with the administration EPF/ETF schemes, possessing a National Registration Number to each labourer and to every skilled craftsman in the construction industry, the letter sent recently by Chairman CISC, S. P. Liyanarachchi and Secretary CISC, Jayasiri Smarathunga says. It also proposes to certify and signify the category and the grade of National Vocational Competency (NVQ) of each worker.
“This Registration Number Identity Card shall be issued and updated, preferably by a recognised National Body authorised for skills accreditation and certification at national level, and every National Registration Number of each worker has to be simultaneously combined and administered by the EPF and ETF schemes as well as by the insurance or pension schemes envisaged for the construction labour,” the letter says noting that it has to be ensured that every worker in the construction sector be issued a Smart Card with a unique identification number for accessing social schemes and benefits, which will also serve the social recognition and dignity of labour attracting the youth for employment in the construction industry.
In a separate letter to the Construction Industry Development Authority they pointed out the issue of Sri Lankan youth not being attracted towards the occupations in the construction industry sector and also their reluctance to undergo training in these occupations was discussed in detail by the CISC.
The CISC is of the view that the main reasons for lack of interest among the youth to pursue careers in the construction industry and undergo training in such occupations are that there is no social recognition and proper image in the society for such careers and due to this there is poor interest to pursue training. In reality majority of construction workers do not have proper job security and as such do not remain or continue in the career, there is no practical administrative modality and practice of entailment of EPF, ETF benefits to majority of them and they do not have proper occupational health coverage, insurance and pension entitlements on their retirement.
“The Council strongly feels that if these issues are properly resolved, the interest to join and remain in the construction sector craft level occupations would certainly be enhanced,” the letter says stressing on the proposal for an electronic ID.