Minuwangoda Brandix InQube to be closed
Discussions are being made for the temporary closure of the InQube factory in Minuwangoda owned by the Brandix company, it was reported.
According to internal sources, there is a risk of nearly 1,000 employees losing jobs due to the closure of the factory.
The management of Brandix previously closed the factories located in Kahawatta and Welisara.
Meanwhile, industry sources said that Brandix Group Chief Executive Officer Ashroff Omar has recently told the media that the garment industry is facing frequent challenges and that there will be a major loss of jobs in the short and medium term.
The managers of garment factories in Sri Lanka closed down the factories citing lack of orders for garment products, and the instability of the US Dollar caused by the US economic crisis and Sri Lanka’s financial crisis.
In Asia, several factories owned by Brandix are located in countries like India, Bangladesh and Cambodia and they are said to be operating successfully.
The Brandix company founded in 1969 by M.H.Omar has been considered as one of the leading local organizations that have earned profits for more than five decades.
It is said that Mr. Omar received the foundation for this business through Martin Trust, a forward-looking businessman from the US, who is considered to be the father of the modern garment industry in Sri Lanka.Brandix was established in 1969 with his support.
Then around 1972, Brandix became a group company with Omar Group.Later, under the leadership of renowned businessman Deshmanya Ken Balendran, Brandix Company rose to the top of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry. Ashraf Omar is the Director and CEO of Brandix following the retirement of Mr. Balendran.
Brandix is also among the top companies in the list that have enjoyed GSP plus tax relief.
The European Union’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) is a system that allows exports from developing countries to the European Union to pay a minimum tariff or to be fully duty-free.
Mihintale MAS on life support
Meanwhile, MAS Holdings Group which has amassed a large amount of wealth for almost 36 years as one of the largest garment exporters in Sri Lanka has decided to temporarily close down its Mihintale factory for a period of 4 months from yesterday (10).
It was said that this month’s salary is the last salary given to the employees of the factory with all allowances.
In the coming months, the employees will receive only the basic salary.
It was reported that there is a plan to assign the skilled workers from the factory to the local and foreign factories owned by the company.
However, sources said that after the closure of this factory, nearly 1,000 people will lose their jobs.
Jobs still unsafe
When inquired, Free Trade Zones & General Services Employees Union Joint Secretary Anton Marcus said that the temporary closure of a factory directly affects the job safety of its employees.
Mr. Marcus said that when a factory is temporarily closed, only the basic salary is given to the employees.
“In addition to the basic salary, attendance allowance, incentive allowance and low-cost or free meals are also important for the employees,” he said.
If only the basic salary is paid after the closure of the factory, he said the employees will leave their jobs since they cannot live only on the basic allowance.
He said that this company implemented the same strategy during the Covid-19 pandemic to reduce the number of employees without giving compensation.
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Underworld gangster Nadun Chinthaka better known as ‘Harak Kata’ attempted to grab the service weapon of a Police STF sub-inspector and flee while he was being questioned by the CID.
The STF sub-inspector had overpowered him after a struggle, preventing the efforts of ‘Harak Kata’.
Sources say that a police constable of the CID who is said to have tried to help ‘Harak Kata’ escape, has been reported missing from yesterday (11).
Police are seeking public help to arrest the missing police constable and requests the public to contact the CID for any information via 071 8591774 or 071 8594929.
(Source : Lankadeepa)
The Locomotive Operating Engineers’ Union is set to launch strike action from midnight today (11 Sep.), according to the trade union.
Accordingly, the trade union is expected to launch a strike over several key demands, including amendments to the recruitment process and promotions, which have been delayed for nearly five years despite their constant requests in this regard.
Related News :
Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella announced that the Cabinet has granted approval for the establishment of three private medical colleges within Sri Lanka.
Minister Rambukwella emphasized that these new medical institutions will adhere to the standards set by existing medical schools in the country.
Addressing a media briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) today (11) on the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’, ‘ Minister Rambukwella elaborated on the initiative, stating: “The Cabinet has already given its approval to launch three new medical colleges.
These institutions must maintain the same high standards as our existing medical schools. We must consider the number of our youth who choose to study in private institutions or abroad. It is our moral duty to provide adequate facilities and opportunities for our country’s children.”
The Minister further stressed that “Professors who have worked as consultants in the medical colleges of our country have outlined minimum qualifications. There is a law that mandates other recognized medical schools in this country to meet or exceed these standards. Additionally, three hospitals have been integrated into these universities.
The minister also revealed that these universities have been urged to allocate scholarships to 10% of their student population, acknowledging the existence of qualified students who face financial barriers to pursuing medical education.
Minister Rambukwella took the opportunity to address concerns about the brain drain of medical professionals, attributing it to economic challenges faced by the country in 2019. He assured that the government is committed to addressing these issues, particularly regarding doctors’ remuneration.
He highlighted the need for comprehensive short, medium and long-term plans to address these challenges and pointed out that countries like England offer significantly higher salaries to medical professionals educated in Sri Lanka’s free education system.
In furtherance of our commitment to addressing critical healthcare challenges, it is essential to consider augmenting the intake capacity in specific domains. Currently, there exist stipulated minimum qualifications and approximately 13 medical faculties throughout the country. Regrettably, only around 2000 individuals are admitted into these institutions. It is evident that there is ample room to expand these numbers, as the intellectual capabilities of
our nation’s youth are beyond question. It is imperative to provide opportunities to those with foundational qualifications who aspire to excel in the medical field.
In a related development, the motion of no confidence presented against Minister Rambukwella in Parliament was defeated. He acknowledged the constructive suggestions provided during the debate and pledged to take steps to implement them. He also presented evidence countering false allegations made during the motion, including concerns about the quality and availability of medicines
“In response to allegations raised within the no-confidence motion, particularly concerning the quality of medicines, I had the opportunity to present evidence substantiating the veracity of our claims. Reference was made to a report from 2017 highlighting issues related to substandard medications, with subsequent years showing varying numbers of such incidents: 85 in 2018, 96 in 2019, 77 in 2020, 88 in 2021, 86 in 2022 and 43 so far in 2023.
It is worth noting that, in some cases, reports of substandard drugs have emerged years after their approval, registration and utilization. We have initiated a comprehensive investigation into these reported incidents of inferior quality medicines. Additionally, there were allegations regarding the shortage of essential medicines, a concern we take seriously and are actively addressing.
Our on-going commitment remains to bolster our healthcare system, ensure the availability of high-quality medicines and provide opportunities for aspiring medical professionals. We recognize the need for continued dialogue and effective action to overcome the challenges facing our healthcare sector and to uphold the well-being of our citizens.”
Regarding lower quality medicines, Rambukwella referenced reports from recent years, indicating that these cases are being addressed. He affirmed that the government takes such matters seriously and is committed to ensuring the quality and availability of essential medicines for the public.
(President’s Media Division)
