The Centre for Workers' Struggle (CWS) has expressed its strong opposition to the government’s decision to merge the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) and amend the EPF Act.
A delegation representing the CWS arrived at the Labour Ministry in Narahenpita to submit a formal memorandum on the issue to the Labour Minister.
Speaking to the media, CWE secretary Duminda Nagamuwa said ministers were discussing replacing the traditional lump sum paid to workers at age 55 with a monthly pension scheme.
He said the proposed change represented a clear violation of fundamental worker rights across the private sector.
Trade union representatives also said that the government has been attempting since June to merge the two statutory funds under a tripartite management structure, noting that Sri Lanka faces no legal obligation under international conventions to execute such a merger.
Accusing the NPP of betraying working people and attempting to plunder their life savings, Nagamuwa said the government was merely continuing the economic policies previously introduced by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He urged workers across all sectors to prepare for widespread street protests to force the government to abandon the plan.
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