Over 14,000 complaints received by the Ministry of Labour over COVID-19 lay-offs, pay cuts

COLOMBO (News 1st): More than 14,000 complaints have been received with regard to issues faced by workers and insititutions in line with the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the Ministry of Labour and Trade Union Relations. "87 complaints were lodged by private owners of instutitions including factories," said Sarath Abeygunawardana - Secretary to the Ministry of Labour, on Friday (May 22). Furthermore, Trade Unions have also lodged complaints with regard to being laid off work, non-issuance of salaries, paycuts and many other difficulties faced by workers. "The issues will be resolved by holding discussions between employers and employees mediated through officials at the Ministry of Labour," told Abeygunawardana to News 1st on Friday. According to Abeygunawardana, a program has already been launched to provide solutions to the issues faced by workers, as soon as possible. In order to facilitate this process, various other investigations conducted by ministry officials, have been halted. "Resolving these issues while ensuring labour peace and providing relief for those affected by the situation, is top priority of the ministry at the moment," Abeygunawardana told News 1st.