Sri Lanka’s proposed labour law reforms are intended to strengthen workers’ rights rather than weaken existing protections, Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe has said — and are not being rushed to satisfy the International Monetary Fund.
Jayasinghe was addressing a consultation session on the proposed amendments for the Western Province, held at the Department of Labour auditorium at Mehewara Piyasa, Narahenpita, on 28 October, the Daily Mirror reported.
The government intends to establish a framework suited to the country’s needs and aligned with modern workplace requirements and international labour standards, he said.
The process, by the numbers
Jayasinghe set out figures evidently aimed at answering criticism that the drafting has been closed or hurried:
- the independent 17-member committee overseeing the process has held nearly 40 meetings
- there has been no interference with the committee’s independence
- the same draft went to all parties, including trade unions and employers
- the National Labour Advisory Council has been convened more than 11 times since the government took office
- completed sections were presented to the council on 7 August
This desk reported the committee’s appointment in August, when it was chaired by the Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and had issued preliminary drafts to unions on the tripartite council.
The IMF question, and a deadline
Rejecting claims the reforms were being expedited to meet IMF requirements, Jayasinghe said the government was under no obligation to accelerate the process on that basis.
He said the draft contains several provisions more progressive than existing law, but that the government is prepared to discuss areas needing further amendment. Trade unions were asked to submit any additional proposals or observations in writing before 30 November.
The session is one of a series of provincial meetings gathering views from the public, unions, employers and other stakeholders.
Not reported
The filing does not say which provisions are more progressive, which unions attended or whether any objected, how many provincial sessions remain, or when the legislation is expected to reach Parliament. It does not identify who made the IMF claim Jayasinghe was rejecting.
Single source. A search of Ada Derana, NewsFirst, EconomyNext, Daily FT, the Island, Colombo Gazette and news.lk returned only background and older labour-reform coverage; no other verified newsroom had filed on this consultation at the time of writing.
