Work Injury Benefits
Disability / Work Injury Benefit
Work injuries are divided into four categories: (i) permanent total incapacity (ii) permanent partial incapacity (iii) temporary incapacity and (iv) fatal injury leading to death of a worker. The compensation to the injury depends on a worker's wages. Work injury benefits are provided to the worker with at least 06 months of employment and the minimum qualifying period for a temporary disability is 03 days.
In the case of permanent total incapacity/disability, amount of compensation is paid as a lump sum according to the wage category of a worker. The minimum permanent disability benefit is 196,083.80 rupees while the maximum disability benefit is 550,000 rupees. Employees’ Trust Fund Board also provides benefits in the event loss of employment due to permanent disability. The benefit is subject to a ceiling of 200,000 rupees depending on the degree of disablement. A worker qualifies for this benefit only when disability is found to be more than 50% and employer certifies that the employment has ceased due to disability.
In the case of permanent partial disability, amount of compensation depends on the assessed degree of disability. In the case of temporary disability, 50% of the wages are paid for up to five years. After six months, benefit can be paid as lump sum. Minimum temporary disablement benefit is Rs. 1,320 while the maximum benefit is Rs. 5,500.
In the case of fatal injury, dependents (widow, children, widowed mother) receive survivors' benefit as a lump sum amount in accordance with the wage class/category of a worker. The minimum survivors' benefit is Rs. 196,083.80 while the maximum survivors' benefit is Rs. 550,000.
The funeral cost is deducted from the survivors' benefit and is paid to the person who incurred such expenses. It can't be greater than:
i. Rs. 10,000 if the compensation does not exceed Rs. 200,000;
ii. Rs. 15,000 if the compensation does not exceed Rs. 300,000
iii. Rs. 20,000 if the compensation does not exceed Rs. 500,000
Source: §6, 12, Part III& Schedule IV of Workmen's Compensation Ordinance, 1934; ISSA Country Profile for Sri Lanka 2014
