Sri Lanka Wages Boards increase salaries of private sector trades

Sri Lanka Labor Minister Gamini Lokuge says that measures are taken to increase the salaries of certain sections of employees in the private sector by 40 to 50 percent. These salary increases are implemented through Wages Boards that decide the salaries of the particular trade. So far 13 out of 44 Wages Boards have submitted their reports regarding salary increases and they include among others, construction, confectionery and cinema sectors, the Minister stated. The rest of the Wages Boards are to submit their reports soon. The gazette notification in this regard will be issued on December 17. The salary structure in the private sector is determined by tripartite Wages Boards comprising the government, employers, and worker representatives. Sri Lanka's private sector currently has 44 tripartite Wages Boards. Around 7 are for the services sectors and the rest covers other sectors like manufacturing and plantations. Minister Lokuge said studies are being carried out to establish more Wages Boards for the trades that are not covered by Wages Boards presently.