No room for misuse of workers’ funds: Labour Minister

11-Aug-2026

.

The Government’s objective is to manage the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) in a manner that ensures maximum benefits for their members. There will be no room for the misuse of these funds as happened in the past, Labour Minister Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando said.

He made these remarks while participating in the meeting of the National Labour Advisory Council held at the Ministry of Labour on August 10, 2026.

The Minister further said:

“This is the eleventh occasion on which the National Labour Advisory Council has met since the present Government came to power, after the council had not been convened for several years.

“Attention is currently being focused on the Government’s proposal to integrate the administration of the Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ Trust Fund. The respective funds are currently in a stable position.

“Accordingly, the Government’s expectation is to maintain these funds in a more efficient and effective manner through proper administrative and management systems.”

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said certain sections had expressed opposition to the proposal to bring the Employees’ Provident Fund and Employees’ Trust Fund under a unified administrative structure.

He said the opposition was based on concerns arising from the alleged misuse of the two funds by previous governments.

“However, under the present Government, there is no room for the misuse of public funds. Any final decision regarding the proposal will be taken only after discussions with all stakeholders,” Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe stressed.