Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says that one cannot assume that the economy is doing well by looking at the stock market.Wickremesinghe expressed this view at a function held at the auditorium of the Centre for Banking Studies of the Central Bank in Rajagiriya on 13 Oct 2011 .The second national congress of the National Trade Union Federation was held with the participation of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on 13 Oct 2011 Among those present was the Minister of Labour and Labour Relations Gamini Lokuge.
The service rendered by several members towards the upliftment of the National Trade Union Federation was recognized at the occasion.
’’Today there are two sectors where money flows. One is the stock market. The number of job opportunities will not increase when share prices increase. The other is the construction sector. There are no new job opportunities. It is to the stock market and the construction sector where money is flowing. For how many years have companies in the cultivation sector asked for more capital investment so that they could be modernised? This has not taken place," said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.
’’Everyday we cannot look at the stock market and say that our economy is good. May be the economy of those who invest in the stock market is good. However, the economy of workers has not seen any improvement," said the Opposition Leader.
’’Today everyone is of the view that rules and regulations pertaining to labour and the labour ordinance act need to be amended to suit current requirements. Therefore, at present we are holding discussions to ascertain as to how we could amend these laws that will both suit the present day needs as well as the rules and regulations of the international labor organization," he said.
’’The development of a country is tied to production. in order to increase production, the working class, the employers as well as the government needs to work hand in hand. it is by working together that the country could be developed," said Minister of Labour and Labour Relations Gamini Lokuge.
Meanwhile, the Joint Trade Union Action Centre and the National Trade Union Federation staged a protest opposite the auditorium of the centre for banking studies in Rajagiriya yesterday.
The protesters charged that funds received by the National Trade union Federation had not been used for the welfare of those who have been politically victimised.
