Private bus drivers, conductors to receive ETF membership

Colobmbo, July 24 (Daily Mirror) - Private bus drivers and conductors will be brought under the Employees' Trust Fund (ETF) scheme, marking a significant step toward extending social security benefits to employees engaged in non-government public transport services.

The Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry said an awareness programme on enrolling private bus crew members in the Employees' Trust Fund (ETF) scheme was held on July 21 at the Ministry Auditorium on the seventh floor of Sethsiripaya Phase II in Battaramulla.

The programme introduced participants to the role of the Employees' Trust Fund Board, the general and welfare benefits available to members, employer registration and contribution procedures, and the legal provisions governing membership under the Employees' Trust Fund Act No. 46 of 1980.

The initiative follows a decision by the ETF Board to extend membership to private sector employees engaged in public transport services, who were previously not covered under the scheme.

According to the Ministry, the programme is the first step in extending welfare benefits to employees in the non-government transport sector and will be implemented at both the central government and provincial council levels.