Sri Lanka: Discussion on legal protection for domestic workers
- https://idwfed.org/en/activities/sri-lanka-discussion-on-legal-protection-for-domestic-workers
- Sri Lanka: Discussion on legal protection for domestic workers
- 2014-02-19T00:00:00+00:00
- 2014-02-19T23:59:59+00:00
- At the discussion held on 19/02/2014 at 9.30 am, at the Labour Secretariat, chaired by the Ministry of Labour, Secretary Mr. Upali Wijeweera, the General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers’ Red Flag Union Ms. Menaha Kandasamy, with the Joint Secretaries of the Domestic Workers’ Union Ms. Parvathy and Ms.Anandi who submitted the draft with over 5000 signatures from the workers, well wishers and supporters.
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- Feb 19, 2014 (Universal / UTC0)
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SRI LANKA -
So says the Domestic Workers’ Union which is the first union of its kind, Registered in 2012 on the principle of safeguarding, promoting and furthering the working and living conditions of the domestic workers, who have, to date not recognized as workers within the meaning of the Industrial Disputes Act.
The Domestic Workers’ Union and the Ceylon Workers’ Red Flag Union together worked hard to mobilize domestic workers for more than 5 years, prepared a legal draft to protect rights of domestic workers.
At the discussion held on 19/02/2014 at 9.30 am, at the Labour Secretariat, chaired by the Ministry of Labour, Secretary Mr. Upali Wijeweera, the General Secretary of the Ceylon Workers’ Red Flag Union Ms. Menaha Kandasamy, with the Joint Secretaries of the Domestic Workers’ Union Ms. Parvathy and Ms.Anandi who submitted the draft with over 5000 signatures from the workers, well wishers and supporters.
The draft among others, emphasized that there should be regulations governing the following aspects.
1. Service Contract;
2. Wages / Salaries;
3. Powers of Inspection;
4. Punishment and penalties;
5. Enforcement ;
6. Definition (Interpretation).
The Secretary agreed that in the absence of any law to safeguard the interest of the domestic workers they faced a serious exploitation, where the authorities too were helpless, and therefore there is the necessity for a law that would go a long way to safeguarding them.
The Secretary assured the delegation that as a preliminary step, he would table the draft before the National Labour Advisory Committee (NLAC) which is due to meet next in April 2014.