Five-day workweek for export sector extended for six months from January

By Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama
The five-day workweek for the export sector industries has been extended for the next six months, starting January 1, following the approval of the Labour Advisory Council, subject to the instructions and final approval of the Labour Commissioner General.
It was also decided to appoint a sub-committee consisting of six representatives—two from each party, representing the employers, employees and government—to review the issues arising during the implementation of the five-day workweek.
The decision was announced after a recent meeting of the Labour Advisory Committee, convened for the first time since 2023. The meeting was held under the patronage of Labour Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando and Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe.
After the new government came to power, Fernando and Jayasinghe decided to convene this council urgently, as the government has accepted in principle that the labour issues and all matters related to the labour sector should be resolved through a tripartite agreement involving the employers, employees and government.

For the first time, three representatives from women’s trade unions participated in this council meeting, ensuring adequate representation for women’s trade unions in the National Labour Advisory Council.
The trade unions strongly criticised the draft of the Employment Act initiated during the previous government, arguing that it was prepared without consulting the unions. 
In response, Fernando emphasised that the draft would be reviewed in alignment with the new government’s policies and vision. The necessary amendments will be made and submitted for agreement by both the employer and employee parties.