• Industrial Relations Forum
• Business briefs..
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Industrial Relations Forum

Q1: What can an inquiry officer do if an accused employee refuses to participate in the inquiry after appearing before him?

If the accused refuses to participate, the inquiry officer shall warn the employee that his refusal to participate in the inquiry will result in the inquiry being held ex-parte and make a record of having so warned the employee. The inquiry officer shall thereafter question the employee whether inspite of such warning he still refuses to participate in the inquiry and if he answers in the affirmative or refuses to give any answer, make a record to that effect and proceed to hear evidence ex-parte and make his decision.

Q2: We have indicated in our latter of appointment that when an employee wishes to resign, one months notice should be given to the management. But most of our employees who were permanent, have left the company suddenly without giving such notice. What kind of action can we take to prevent this situation? Can we withhold his salary for the current month?

If the employee fails to fulfil the contractual obligation of giving one months notice that employer can take him before court to recover damages. However, under shop/office employment act and wages board ordinance ,earned salary cannot be deducted in lieu of notice without the consent of the employee.

Q3: Our company allows 14 days annual leave. Can an employee take half day as annual leave. Also please let us know how annual leave could be availed. How many days at a time. Will any payments be made for unutilised leave. Can it be accumulated and taken the following year. Any more information on the above, under act?

There is no reference to half a day's annual leave in shop/office employees act or wages board ordinance. So if they apply for annual leave it should be a full day. The shop/office employees act state that employees should avail 7 days leave at a stretch. The most of the wages board have started that 6 to 7 days of annual leave should be taken at a stretch. The balance days of leave can be split up with the consent of both parties. There is no provision in any of the statutes for encasement of annual leave and also for accumulation of annual leave. Annual leave should always to be taken with the consent of both parties, which means with prior approval.

Q4: What is the overtime rate applicable to Biscuit Manufacturing Trade Employees?

1.On normal working days after normal hours of work at 11/2 times

2. On Saturdays after normal hours of work the OT rate is 11/2 times.

3. On Sundays during normal working hours (an hour with meal interval) OT rate is1_ times and any hours after 9 hours OT rate is double.

Business briefs..

GEIS sets E-Commerce Centre in S'pore

General Electric Information Services (GEIS), a leading global service provider in business-to-business electronic commerce, and ST Computer Systems & Services Limited (STCS), the IT arm of SembCorp Industries, announced their setting up of a regional E-Commerce Centre in Singapore.

BC Computers Ltd represents GEIS in Sri Lanka and is actively involved in setting up of the National EDI Network Switch with Sri Lanka EDI Network Services (Pvt) Ltd., a government approved BOI company set up to cater to the Electronic Commerce/EDI needs of the local trading community.

This regional E-Commerce Service Centre represents GE's and STCS' significant investments and commitment to Singapore and the regional markets. The E-Commerce regional centre will, over time, build a critical mass of E-Commerce expertise in consulting, service support, marketing and sales and community building.This will enhance Singapore's position to tap into the global E-Commerce market which is forecast to reach US$300 billion in the year 2002.

DMS appointed partner to Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited appointed Data Management Systems (DMS) as an Authorized Partner to provide paid support to Microsoft customers in Sri Lanka.

DMS will provide support on the entire suite of Microsoft products including enterprise products through its authorized service centre. The appointment of DMS is an extension of Microsoft Technical Support's commitment to provide constantly improving levels of support to all users of Microsoft products, a company release said.

"The importance of technical support for software should not be underestimated. It has a critical role to play in increasing the efficiency and productivity of the end user and in lowering the total cost of ownership'', said, Ashutosh Vaidya, Director, Business Development, Microsoft Corporation.

"The appointment of DMS as an Authorised Support Centre in Sri Lanka complements and stregthens our existing technical support network, and is a reflection of the rapidly growing number of users of Microsoft products in Sri Lanka. DMS possesses both the range of expertise and skills that we want users of Microsoft's products to be able to readily access.''

Workshop

Workshop on share trading

The Sri Lanka Business Development Centre (SLBDC) and the Forbes ABN Amro Securities (Pvt) Ltd will conduct the second round of workshops on Share Trading today at Nugawela Central College Hall from 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon and from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. at Ranraw Restaurant, Pilimatalawa.

The SLBDC and the Forbes ABN Amro Securities (Pvt) Ltd are of the opinion that creating awareness on the securities market is very important in areas outside Colombo, as presently only a limited number of people in and around Colombo and main cities are aware of share trading and securities market. The objective is to create awareness on share trading and investment in shares among potential investors in the rural areas.

Senior executives from Forbes ABN Amro Securities (Pvt) Ltd and Vanik Incorporation Ltd will participate in this programme.

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