📋 Govt. Appoints Committee to Review State Enterprise Manpower Recruitment

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a committee to recommend reforms for regulating manpower agency employees within State-owned enterprises (SOEs). • Core Issue: State enterprises have increasingly relied on external manpower agencies for temporary workers in core operations. Many remain long-term without job security, statutory benefits, or proper legal recognition. • Labour Rights Violation: Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa noted the practice departs from the basic labour concept of "equal pay for equal work." • International Standards: Reforms are necessary to safeguard worker welfare and align Sri Lanka with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Private Employment Agencies Convention. • Expected Outcome: The committee will submit recommendations on required legal and regulatory changes, specifically focusing on safeguarding the interests of long-serving manpower employees in State enterprises.