By The Pulseline News Desk
Sri Lanka is moving towards reforming its outdated labour laws to address modern workplace requirements while strengthening protections for workers, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe has said.
The proposed reforms are also intended to expand the country’s production economy and strengthen national economic growth, with the government seeking to balance workers’ rights with the needs of employers and businesses.
Jayasinghe has made these remarks at a Western Province-level consultation held at the Ministry of Labour to obtain trade unions’ views and proposals on the planned amendments.
He has said the government intended to introduce the necessary legal changes to safeguard workers’ rights while creating an environment conducive to expanding production and strengthening the economy.
Consultations underway
The reform process follows the appointment last year of a Cabinet subcommittee chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Labour to prepare proposals for revising laws and regulations administered by the Department of Labour.
The review aims to bring existing legislation into line with contemporary requirements, with provincial-level consultations now being conducted to gather feedback from trade unions, employers and members of the public.
The proposals were submitted to the National Labour Advisory Council on August 7, and the council is currently reviewing them and providing its views and recommendations.
The government also intends to consider submissions from trade unions and other relevant stakeholders before finalising the proposed amendments.
Final draft to reflect stakeholder views
Jayasinghe has stressed that the government would take into account the views and proposals of all relevant parties when preparing the final draft legislation.
The consultation process is expected to help shape reforms to the country’s labour law framework, with the government seeking to modernise existing regulations while maintaining safeguards for workers.
The final draft will be prepared after the relevant stakeholder feedback has been considered, the Deputy Minister has said.
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