COPA slams Labour Department officials over stalled digital data system

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) expressed concern to the officials of the Department of Labour over the significant delays in implementing a digital data system, despite substantial financial allocations by the government.
The meeting, chaired by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna, brought to light several inefficiencies and potential obstructions within the Department of Labour.   
Minister Alagiyawanna highlighted that a staggering percentage of allocated funds for the digital data system project remained unutilized over the past three years. “In 2021, 84% of the funds were saved, followed by 53% in 2022 and an alarming 91% in 2023,” he revealed.   
In response, officials from the Department of Labour explained that the initial push for digitization encountered delays due to the proposal to prepare the National Labour Market Information System.   
However, the committee found this justification insufficient, noting that such delays were unacceptable and detrimental to the country’s progress.   
In response to these revelations, Minister Alagiyawanna recommended that the Department of Labour expedite the creation of a comprehensive digital data system.   
He proposed that the system should enable the Central Bank and the Department of Labour to jointly access data, including information on Employees Provident Fund, to streamline processes and enhance transparency.