Focus on introducing four key Bills under proposed labour law reforms

The Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando stated that attention is currently being given to the introduction of four key bills under the proposed labour law reforms. This was revealed during a meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour Affairs, held on October 8 under Minister Fernando's chairmanship. Deputy Minister of Labor Mahinda Jayasinghe also participated in the meeting.

Speaking at the meeting, the Secretary to the Ministry stated that a 17-member committee has been appointed to study the reforms of 14 labor laws currently in force. He noted that the committee, at its initial meeting, reached a basic consensus to draft four principal labour-related bills. The Secretary to the Ministry further stated that the committee has agreed to prepare separate bills for four areas: trade unions, labour, occupational safety and termination of employment, and that necessary amendments will be made to the existing laws until new laws are formulated. The Secretary to the Ministry also said that amendments will be made to the Women Working at Night law, the Labour Protection law and matters related to insurance in the event of termination of employment, Parliament's Communications Department stated. 

Ministry officials also stated that the process of formulating a national policy on occupational safety and health has reached the final stage and that it is expected to be published soon.

Furthermore, steps have been taken to update the data base of the Labour Department in a timely manner. Under the government’s digitalization program, amendments are being made to ensure that workers are immediately registered in the system upon entering the labour force, officials stated.

During the meeting, the Chairman of the committee stated that the proposed labour law reform drafts will be prepared following detailed discussions with relevant stakeholders, including trade unions.