Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2002, published 91st ILC session (2003)

Workers' Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135) - Sri Lanka (Ratification: 1976)

The Committee notes the Government’s report. It also notes the comments made by the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) and by the Lanka Jathika Estate Workers’ Union (LJEWU).

Article 1 of the Convention. In its previous observation, the Committee trusted that a draft Bill which was being examined would ensure an effective protection of workers’ representatives. The Committee notes that the Industrial Disputes Act of 1967 has been amended by the Industrial Disputes (Amendment) Act No. 56 of 1999. In this respect, the Committee notes with satisfaction that this Act contains provisions (reproduced in the Government’s report): (1) prohibiting acts of anti-union discrimination (including dismissal) because of union affiliation or union activities; and (2) considering these acts as punishable offences.

The Committee requests the Government to send the complete text of this new amending Act indicating the sanctions applicable in case of infringement, in particular, in relation to trade union activities in the enterprise.

The Committee is also addressing a request on another point directly to the Government.