Archives

Provincial ministry to recruit private bus employees

by Rajmi Manatunga

The Western Province Transport Ministry is planning to recruit private bus employees under the provincial transport authority.

A spokesman for the ministry told the Daily News yesterday that steps will be taken to register drivers and conductors of private buses as employees of the WPTA.

"The objective of the proposal is to secure the employment of these drivers and conductors who are often sacked at the discretion of bus owners. We also hope to upgrade their working conditions through this project," he said.

Accordingly, drivers and conductors of private buses will be entitled to all benefits granted to Authority employees including the Employees Provident Fund and other facilities. However, he said most private bus owners were not in favour of the proposal since it affected their choice of employing any driver or conductor they like. "The National Transport Commission has already started registering private bus employees. The assistance of bus owners is essential if we are to implement this proposal. Discussions are underway between ministry officials and bus owners on the proposal," he said.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager