A generous gesture
A move by the Government to obtain employment to those who lost their jobs in the private sector due to the coronavirus is a commendable one indeed and would be a god send to those languishing jobless and without a means to survive. According to a news item, the Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Employment Sarath Abeygunawardena has stated that his ministry is willing to intervene with other state agencies with a view to absorbing those who have been discontinued from service in the private sector owing to the present crisis. He said they would not allow even a single individual who lost his/her job left high and dry. The Department of Manpower and Employment is currently busy collecting details of those who lost jobs in the private sector and that they would be absorbed into existing vacancies and where possible compensation paid.
The move is doubly commendable, given that the Government itself is hard-pressed to survive with the country in the middle of a grave economic crisis. In fact, most Government departments, let alone giving employments to jobless private sector employees, are only partially operating and have drastically cut down their own workforces though salaries are continued to be paid while a majority of the staff have been forced to ‘work from home.’ Under these circumstances, therefore, it is moot if the state sector will be able to rise to the occasion and lend a hand to the private sector in absorbing even a miniscule of its workers out of jobs. Besides there are unemployed graduates and other unskilled employees waiting in the wings to join the various government departments in terms of a Presidential directive. Their interests have naturally to gain priority. Still, those thrown out of jobs (in the private sector) cannot be left to fend for themselves.
Besides, Sri Lanka has a most commendable employment culture where those who are rendered jobless due to closure of workplaces or forced to shut down due to various reasons are welcomed by other establishments within their limitations and capacities. This trait was seen most prominently in the wake of the July ’83 riots where many workplaces and factories belong to Tamil businessmen were destroyed. Their Sinhala compatriots rose to the occasion and acted gallantly in providing employment to the thousands who were thrown out of their jobs as a result. Such generous gestures were seen at other instances too in times of crises. This is in contrast to some of the most advanced countries which have strict rules governing employment. Nay, some of these states which preach human rights to others adapt the policy of ‘hire and fire’ in their workplaces. The coronavirus pandemic could only have made the situation worse in these countries. But Sri Lankans for the most part have lived in accordance with the true sense of the noble teaching of the Buddha of Maithri and Karuna and are always generous and accommodating and hardly turn away those in need and want.
Now we see the Government, no less, getting involved in this meritorious task to alley the sufferings of those who are out of employment in the private sector due to an emergency situation. Admittedly, it is not going to be an easy task, since, as mentioned, the Government departments themselves have been badly affected, with employment strength halved, in most cases, complying with the health regulations in force. There is also perennial issue of chronic overstaffing in most state sector bodies. Hence, re-recruitment should not be done willy-nilly lest they become a financial burden on the already cash strapped government institutions. Whatever arrangements therefore should ensure no redundancies, thus exacerbating the problem. Of course coming from the private sector most of these employees are likely to be skilled workers and the Government Departments which absorb them could benefit from their proficiency unlike the majority of time servers in state sector bodies.
Not just the salaried employees in the private sector. There are also others, particularly the self-employed who have lost their livelihoods due to the present crisis. Their grievances too should be looked into. The regulations and restrictions have also forced others to live on partial incomes. The office and school van services fall into this category. There is no knowing how long the current health emergency will last foreboding grim prospects for them. They have dependents too to care for like school going children and food and medical bills. The Government should be commended for alleviating at least to some degree their hardships by such moves like stretching time periods for lease payments on vehicles and loan repayments.
However the Government cannot be expected to continue with concessions indefinitely and doling out largesse. The economic situation does not permit such luxuries. Almost all sectors are down in the dumps. Adding to the woes will be the astronomical expenditure that will be incurred for the holding of the General Election. The coronavirus has necessitated the estimated expenditure of the election doubling, according to Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya. No wonder they say that democracy is a costly exercise.
A move by the Government to obtain employment to those who lost their jobs in the private sector due to the coronavirus is a commendable one indeed and would be a god send to those languishing jobless and without a means to survive. According to a news item, the Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, Manpower and Employment Sarath Abeygunawardena has stated that his ministry is willing to intervene with other state agencies with a view to absorbing those who have been discontinued from service in the private sector owing to the present crisis. He said they would not allow even a single individual who lost his/her job left high and dry. The Department of Manpower and Employment is currently busy collecting details of those who lost jobs in the private sector and that they would be absorbed into existing vacancies and where possible compensation paid.
The move is doubly commendable, given that the Government itself is hard-pressed to survive with the country in the middle of a grave economic crisis. In fact, most Government departments, let alone giving employments to jobless private sector employees, are only partially operating and have drastically cut down their own workforces though salaries are continued to be paid while a majority of the staff have been forced to ‘work from home.’ Under these circumstances, therefore, it is moot if the state sector will be able to rise to the occasion and lend a hand to the private sector in absorbing even a miniscule of its workers out of jobs. Besides there are unemployed graduates and other unskilled employees waiting in the wings to join the various government departments in terms of a Presidential directive. Their interests have naturally to gain priority. Still, those thrown out of jobs (in the private sector) cannot be left to fend for themselves.
Besides, Sri Lanka has a most commendable employment culture where those who are rendered jobless due to closure of workplaces or forced to shut down due to various reasons are welcomed by other establishments within their limitations and capacities. This trait was seen most prominently in the wake of the July ’83 riots where many workplaces and factories belong to Tamil businessmen were destroyed. Their Sinhala compatriots rose to the occasion and acted gallantly in providing employment to the thousands who were thrown out of their jobs as a result. Such generous gestures were seen at other instances too in times of crises. This is in contrast to some of the most advanced countries which have strict rules governing employment. Nay, some of these states which preach human rights to others adapt the policy of ‘hire and fire’ in their workplaces. The coronavirus pandemic could only have made the situation worse in these countries. But Sri Lankans for the most part have lived in accordance with the true sense of the noble teaching of the Buddha of Maithri and Karuna and are always generous and accommodating and hardly turn away those in need and want.
Now we see the Government, no less, getting involved in this meritorious task to alley the sufferings of those who are out of employment in the private sector due to an emergency situation. Admittedly, it is not going to be an easy task, since, as mentioned, the Government departments themselves have been badly affected, with employment strength halved, in most cases, complying with the health regulations in force. There is also perennial issue of chronic overstaffing in most state sector bodies. Hence, re-recruitment should not be done willy-nilly lest they become a financial burden on the already cash strapped government institutions. Whatever arrangements therefore should ensure no redundancies, thus exacerbating the problem. Of course coming from the private sector most of these employees are likely to be skilled workers and the Government Departments which absorb them could benefit from their proficiency unlike the majority of time servers in state sector bodies.
Not just the salaried employees in the private sector. There are also others, particularly the self-employed who have lost their livelihoods due to the present crisis. Their grievances too should be looked into. The regulations and restrictions have also forced others to live on partial incomes. The office and school van services fall into this category. There is no knowing how long the current health emergency will last foreboding grim prospects for them. They have dependents too to care for like school going children and food and medical bills. The Government should be commended for alleviating at least to some degree their hardships by such moves like stretching time periods for lease payments on vehicles and loan repayments.
However the Government cannot be expected to continue with concessions indefinitely and doling out largesse. The economic situation does not permit such luxuries. Almost all sectors are down in the dumps. Adding to the woes will be the astronomical expenditure that will be incurred for the holding of the General Election. The coronavirus has necessitated the estimated expenditure of the election doubling, according to Elections Commission Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya. No wonder they say that democracy is a costly exercise.
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