The Government has decided to extend the agreed grace period for the payment of salaries of private-sector employees until December due to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Co-cabinet Spokesman Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department, Minister Gammanpila said a Task Force representing Employers, Trade Unions, the National Labour Advisory Council, the Labour Ministry and the Labour Department was appointed to look into the payment of salaries to private sector employees in the wake of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal made by the Labour Minister to continue proposals made by the Task Force till December this year.

Accordingly the Task Force agreed to act as follows and took measures according to them.

1. Averting loss of employment in the companies that have been shut down due to the COVID - 19 pandemic.

2. Employing the staff in institutions to work proportionately under a shift system or another suitable procedure which will enable institutions to employ all employees in institutions due to the need to maintain social distancing.

3. Paying a more advantageous sum either 50% of the basic salary or Rs.14,500 of the basic salary for the month in which they paid their last salary to employees of institutions who were required to stay at home due to unemployment.

4. Payment of contributions by the employer to the Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ Trust Fund for such salaries.