UN Launches Project to Enhance Social Dialogue and Promote Inclusive Economic Recovery in Sri Lanka

COLOMOBO, 15 JULY 2024: The United Nations in Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka, has launched a new joint project aimed at strengthening social dialogue and promoting inclusive economic recovery in Sri Lanka.

The initiative, which will be implemented by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), comes at a critical time as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with significant economic challenges.

Through this initiative, the United Nations and the Government of Sri Lanka aim to support inclusive economic recovery by establishing and strengthening dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms at both national and local levels. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity to resolve disputes in the public sector, supporting workplace cooperation, collective bargaining, and grievance handling to foster safe and harmonious workplaces, and empowering local communities, to participate in policymaking processes.

The total project budget is USD 2 million and is funded by the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund with support from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, the UN Secretary General’s Peacebuilding Fund and the Joint SDG Fund. Nearly half of the total budget is allocated to activities promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, with a key focus on women’s leadership and meaningful participation in workplace forums.

The project was inaugurated by UN Resident Coordinator Marc-André Franche, who expressed his optimism about the project: “This joint initiative underscores our commitment to fostering social cohesion and inclusive economic recovery in Sri Lanka. We are grateful to our partners for their collaboration and dedication as we work together toward creating sustainable and equitable opportunities for all, particularly the most vulnerable.”

During the ceremony, Secretary to the Prime Minister Mr. Anura Dissanayake emphasized that "instead of the traditional conflict resolution methods, which include mediation, arbitration, and negotiations, it is advisable to use digital public infrastructure approaches that complement these methods." Mr. Dissanayake also stated that “an inclusive and just response to the effects of the economic crises through wide-ranging social dialogue at national, sectoral, workplace, and local levels would serve as a fundamental basis for implementing economic and social recovery efforts of the State and strengthening peace and cohesion that involves as many Sri Lankans as possible”.