The Ministry of Labour has announced plans to amend the existing laws on the employment of female workers at night as part of a wider labour law reform initiative.
Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said attention has been given to introducing four key bills under the proposed reforms. He made these remarks during the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Labour Affairs held recently (08).
According to the Ministry Secretary, a 17-member committee has been appointed to review 14 current labour laws and draft four principal labour-related bills covering trade unions, labour, occupational safety, and termination of employment.
As part of this process, amendments will be made to the Women Working at Night law, the Labour Protection law, and provisions related to insurance in the event of termination of employment. Officials said these changes aim to modernize regulations and strengthen worker protection until new legislation is introduced.
The Ministry also said that a national policy on occupational safety and health has reached its final stage, and that the Labour Department’s database is being upgraded under the government’s digitalization program to ensure immediate worker registration.
Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando noted that the draft reforms will be developed after detailed consultations with all relevant stakeholders, including trade unions. (Newswire)