The government today approved allowing relief to employees in the tourism sector, particularly those affected by the crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic.

During today's weekly cabinet meeting, cabinet members stated that the relief provides an opportunity for every employee to be engaged in service in a proportionate manner.

As a result, the government has approved awarding more benefits of 50% of the total or a sum of Rs. 14,500/- from the monthly wages, if the employees are to remain in their homes, as well as payment of contributions to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees Trust Fund (ETF) by the employees for the said portion of salary, etc., until the end of June 2021.

Tourism in the country has suffered a severe setback as a result of travel restrictions clamped down on international aviation across the world, particularly in the Middle East.

Therefore, the Cabinet Ministers have decided to grant their consent to further implement the precautions taken by the Labour Minister from the month of July to December 2021. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)