The committee appointed to prepare a comprehensive national social security system covering all workers has met under the patronage of Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara.

The committee was appointed after a proposal made by Minister Nanayakkara to the Cabinet of Ministers seeking permission to prepare a comprehensive national social security system covering the entire workforce, including both formal and informal sector workers was approved.

This committee should submit the proposals regarding a comprehensive national social security system covering all workers to the Cabinet of Ministers within a period of three months.

The Minister during the meeting noted that workers in the informal sector, who represent about 60 percent of the country’s workforce, are not included in any social security scheme.

The Minister stressed that a comprehensive national social security system covering all workers including the informal sector workers, who make up about 60 percent of the country’s workforce, should be prepared and submitted to the cabinet within three months.

The Minister explained that millions of people work in the informal sector in addition to those who work in the formal sector and a special program called “Garu Saru” has been started to give dignity and respect to their labour.

The Minister also instructed the committee members to begin consultation sessions immediately regarding the preparation of a comprehensive social security system and take steps to submit the relevant report to the cabinet within three months.

This committee was appointed by the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake based on the cabinet proposal submitted by the Minister.

During the meeting, the results of a survey conducted by Learn Asia Institute regarding social security mechanisms were also presented.

A group including Professor Rohan Samarajeeva representing the institute also participated in the meeting.