Forced Labour
Prohibition on Forced and Compulsory Labour
Forced or compulsory labour is prohibited in the Constitution. The Penal Code also prohibits forced or compulsory labour and considers it a punishable offense.
A person who contravenes the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall, on conviction be liable to imprisonment of not more than 20 years or a fine. However, if a child is involved in forced labour, the perpetrator is liable to either imprisonment of a term not exceeding 30 years and a fine.
Source: §11 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka 1978; §358 of the Penal Code, 1885
Freedom to Change Jobs and Right to Quit
Workers have the right to change jobs after serving due notice on their employer. For more information on this, please refer to the section on employment security.
Source: §31 of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1950
Inhumane Working Conditions
Working time may be extended beyond normal working hours of forty five hours per week and eight hours a day. The Factories Ordinance states that the normal working hours must not exceed 09 hours per day, inclusive of intervals allowed for meals and rest.
For more information on this, please refer to the section on compensation.
Source: Regulation 6 & 7 of The Shop and Office Employees Act of 1954
Regulations on Forced Labour
- Shrama Vasna Fund Act 2019 (Act No. 15)
- Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children’s Act of 1956, last amended in 2021 (Act No. 2)
