By Skandha Gunasekara The Government has decided to reopen the manufacturing industry from next week and would ensure that all employees were paid, regardless of work opportunities. Minister of Skills Development, Employment, and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena said the Tripartite Committee had reached an agreement on Tuesday (5) to commence operations of the manufacturing sector on Monday (11). The Tripartite Committee consists of the Employers’ Federation of Sri Lanka, trade union representatives, and officials of the Ministry of Labour. "The Tripartite Committee of the Labour Ministry reached an agreement on Tuesday that the manufacturing enterprises will start,” he said. Noting that all those who are working would be doing so according to Health Ministry guidelines, the Minister said that anyone who was unable to work due to such restrictions would still be employed and paid wages. “If there are workers who might not be able to start work as a result of the medical regulations such as maintaining social distancing, those workers who are unable to be accommodated will also have the option of being accommodated on a shift basis. All will be on the payroll and no terminations will take place,” he said, adding that those who had supposedly been terminated due to the lockdown procedures would in fact retain their employment. The Minister went on to say that a minimum of Rs. 14,500 had to be paid to a worker, regardless. “Rs. 14,500 inclusive of EPF (Employment Provident Fund)/ETF (Employment Trust Fund) contributions or 50% of the last basic salary – whichever is higher – will be paid to all employees for the months of May and June,” he said, adding that that a review would be carried out at the end of June.