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Opposition against hire and fire policy
The Opposition is to oppose three Bills relating to labour laws which have been gazetted, claiming that the Government is adopting a hire and fire policy through these bills.

The three bills, Industrial Dispute Amendment, Industrial Dispute Hearing and Detention of Process (Special Provisions) and Termination of Employment of Work (Special Provisions). The Opposition claims that the Bills were gazetted without consulting the views of trade unions and other key institutions.

The Opposition is to meet trade union representatives next week to discuss an action plan.

MEP Leader Dinesh Gunawardena told The Sunday Times that these bills will destroy the industrial peace experienced these past few years.

"The Government is planning to introduce a hire and fire rule. This policy will have its effect in the long run where labour unrest will occur leading to investors not coming to the country" he said.

"We will carry out a massive protest against this move which we see as a threat to the country's economy. This is a violation of workers' rights" he said.

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