Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva is expected to present four drafted amendments to Parliament today (5th), to amend the existing laws and regulations in order to increase the minimum age of employment from 14 to 16 years of age.

The Labour Minister yesterday noted that these amendments are brought forward to ensure that all children in the country are entitled to the privileges and rights as per the international Convention on Rights of the Child.

Accordingly, the Ministry Media Unit stated that the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No.19 of 1954, Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No.47 of 1956, Minimum Wages (Indian Labour) ordinance amendment Act No.27 of 1927 and Factories Ordinance No.45 of 1942, will be amended to raise the minimum working age to 16 years. 

In June, last year, the Cabinet of Ministers granted the approval to amend these laws.

Once these amendments are passed in Parliament, the minister stressed that it would become illegal to employ anyone below 16 years of age in any industry. 

However, he noted that the children below 13 years of age would still be able to take part in their family’s agricultural activities and would still be able to contribute to business-related activities organised by educational or charity organisations.