The Department of Labour has announced that the national minimum wage in the private sector will increase from Rs. 27,000 to Rs. 30,000, while the daily wage will rise from Rs. 1,080 to Rs. 1,200, effective from January 1, 2026.
According to a statement issued by Commissioner General of Labour H. M. D. N. K. Wataliyadda, the wage hike is implemented under the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Amendment Act.
As per the provisions of the Employees’ National Minimum Wage Amendment Act No. 11 of 2025, employers are required to pay the relevant wages.
The statement further notes that in implementing the amendment properly, every employer, including both the immediate employer and the final employer, will be bound by the Act’s provisions in respect of any worker employed in an industry or service through an intermediary or contractor.
According to Section 4 of the amended Act, apart from budgetary relief allowances, no other allowance received by a worker as of 31 March 2025 should be counted towards the minimum wage.
With this wage increase, employers are responsible for ensuring that all statutory payments, such as contributions to employee benefit funds, employer liability funds, overtime, bonuses, maternity benefits, and holiday payments, are calculated accordingly.
The statement also adds that if employers fail to make proper payments, complaints can be lodged through the Labour Department’s complaint management system or submitted in writing to the nearest labour office. (Newswire)