An Interim Sectoral Steering Committee comprising all Three-wheeler Taxi Driver Associations has been formed under the patronage of Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara.
According to the minister, the Interim Sectoral Steering Committee was established on Tuesday (Jan 16).
It has been established paving the way for the formation of Three-wheeler Taxi Drivers’ Professional Councils under the ‘Garu Saru’ programme, initiated to provide professional dignity to all those employed in the informal sector in Sri Lanka.
This Interim Steering Committee will be in force until the establishment of the Professional Councils for Three-wheeler Taxi Drivers to ensure their professionalism and social security.
The Committee, which consists of the representatives of all Three-wheeler Taxi Driver Associations in the country, submitted a proposal to the minister that included matters agreed upon in the discussions held earlier regarding ensuring dignity and ushering professional standards to their profession.
Minister Manusha Nanayakkara observed that steps will be taken to gazette the proposals under the new Employment Act thus making them legally valid.
In the meantime, the members of the Committee also expressed their agreement to join the awareness programmes planned to be conducted by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment about the ‘Garu Saru’ Programme throughout the island.
Considering a proposal to introduce a QR code to prepare a data system by registering all those who are currently working as Three-wheeler Drivers, steps will be taken to introduce the new relevant QR code within a very short period of time, the minister assured.
The preparation of a system to enable Three-wheeler Drivers to get hires online through the professional organization established for them was also discussed.
The committee members expressed their happiness for the programme carried out by the Minister to develop the professionalism and competence of Three-wheeler Drivers. The committee members also pointed out that there are some obstacles within some Government institutions to continue the work of their organization.
Accordingly, the committee members pointed out that the delay in revising the National Transport Commission Act has become a serious challenge, and the Minister who responded immediately took steps to inform the officials of the Legal Draftsman’s Department in this regard.
Minister Nanayakkara also stressed that the professionalism of Three-wheeler Drivers and their standards should be prepared by the drivers themselves, adding that he will help to get the necessary legal validity to enforce those proposals.
The minister also assured that under no circumstances will private sector insurance companies or any other parties be involved in social security activities.
Minister Nanayakkara further emphasized that these new social security systems will be implemented with full Government intervention, similar to the current social security systems implemented in the country. (NewsWire)