संसद ने 1956 के बाल रोजगार विधान में संशोधन को मंजूरी दी है, जिससे उल्लंघन के लिए वित्तीय दंड में उल्लेखनीय वृद्धि हुई है, जबकि 16 वर्ष से कम उम्र के नाबालिगों के लिए कड़े सुरक्षा बनाए रखे गए हैं।
Sri Lanka's parliament has enacted amendments to the Women, Youth and Children (Employment) Act No. 47 of 1956, tightening enforcement mechanisms against child labour violations. The legislative changes were approved following a second reading and debate in parliament on 20 December, with no modifications made to the proposed amendments before passage.
The most significant change involves escalating financial penalties for breaches of the employment law. Fines for violations have been increased from 10,000 rupees to a maximum of 100,000 rupees, substantially raising the cost of non-compliance for employers who violate child protection standards. This penalty increase is intended to strengthen deterrence against illegal child employment practices across Sri Lanka's labour market.
The amended legislation preserves existing protections that have been in place since 1956. Children under 16 years of age remain completely prohibited from employment in any capacity. For young workers aged 16 to 18, the law stipulates multiple special conditions and regulations that employers must follow, ensuring safeguards for adolescents in the workplace. These protections remain central to the country's child labour framework.
