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Nearly 15,000 people lost their jobs during corona: Labour Minister
Following the records received by the Ministry of Labour, nearly 15,000 people have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic and the government is responsible for ensuring their welfare, Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.
Addressing the media today, he said the employers were bound to pay the employee salaries for those who were infected with the virus and for those who were unable to report for their duties.
"If not, the private employers should inform the Labour Department and request permission to pay half of the salary for the period the employee stayed in their homes. That security has been provided for the employee," he said.
"In a lockdown situation, the employer should pay half of the salary to the employees. If an employer decided to terminate their employees, they should take action according to the Labour Department termination act. The Employer should inform the Labour Department Commissioner-General and conduct a relevant investigation. After investigation, the terminations can be done with compensation," the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Minister told the media that a total of 58,000 foreign workers had been recalled and another 30,000 were hoping to return back to the country.
"The Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) has prepared several hotels to send them for quarantine as soon as they arrive in the country. All expenses regarding their quarantine procedures will be taken by the Foreign Bureau," the Minister said.
The quarantine centres administered by the Government is filled by the local COVID patients, Minister Silva added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)
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