Fair wages must guarantee dignity: SL tells ILO forum

Sri Lanka yesterday championed fair wages that uphold the dignity of workers, calling on governments, employers, and partners in the region to work together.

Joining 16 other countries, the island nation asserted that living wage should not be merely treated as an economic measure but as a fundamental human right across Asia and the Pacific.

Addressing policymakers, trade union representatives, employers, and diplomatic officials, Labour Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando emphasised the importance of linking wages to human dignity rather than merely economic measures. 

“Do people want a living wage? I say no. What they want is a life. They want a dignified life—the basic means to provide and assure that life. That, in essence, is the living wage,” Fernando said, addressing a fully packed audience.

The two-day high-level event, held under the Global Coalition for Social Justice, brought together government officials, trade unions, employers, and international partners to discuss strategies for fair pay and social justice.

He highlighted the challenges of ensuring fair income distribution amid rising productivity and technological advancements, calling for global-level solutions while urging national contributions. 

“The real causes of this issue are connected to value generation in the production of goods and services. Technology has greatly increased productivity. But how do we redistribute these gains fairly and equitably?” he asked.

Fernando also shared steps taken by the Sri Lankan government since assuming office, including a 60–80 percent increase in salaries to counteract years of stagnation amid inflation that peaked near 70 percent, as well as changes to income tax brackets to provide households with financial relief. 
“Inflation has now been brought down to near zero or less than 5 percent, with a flexible target of 5 percent for the next three years. These initiatives demonstrate our government’s commitment to ensuring dignified lives for all,” he said.

From the ILO, Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Joni Simpson stressed the need for inclusive wage policies that address systemic inequities, particularly for women. “Women’s work continues to be undervalued too often when women participate in the economy and earn a living wage, families are more secure, communities are stronger and economies more resilient,” Simpson said.

She highlighted the ILO’s approach to strengthening wage-setting institutions through tripartite dialogue, transparency, and national ownership. 

Simpson also emphasised support for extending protections to informal sector workers and ensuring women have a voice in collective bargaining. 

“Let us move forward together, aligning living wage initiatives with ILO principles so we can make living wages a reality for all workers, women and men alike,” she said.