The new labour law currently being drafted will include provisions for work from home or remote work, Parliament was informed yesterday.
Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara disclosed this in response to an oral question raised by MP Eran Wickramaratne.
The forthcoming legislation aims to consolidate and update 13 existing labour laws, bringing significant changes to the legal framework governing employment in Sri Lanka.
Among the laws to be merged are the Trade Union Ordinance No. 14 of 1935, the Wages Board Ordinance No. 27 of 1941, the Factory Ordinance No. 45 of 1942, the Industrial Disputes Act No. 43 of 1950, the Termination Special Provisions Act No. 45 of 1971, and the Shop and Office Act No. 19 of 1954.
Key updates under the new law include the provision for a two-day holiday for workers who complete extra hours within a given week without overtime pay. Additionally, the legislation will introduce a compressed work week, allowing employees to take three days off if they complete the required 45 hours of work within four days. For the first time, domestic workers will also be included under the protection of labour laws.
