The Ministry of Labour has taken steps to amend the laws so that school children between the ages of 16 and 20 can get part-time employment opportunities in private companies.

In a discussion held in the ministry under the leadership of the minister in charge of the subject, Manusha Nanayakkara, attention has been drawn to the fact that many problems have arisen in the labour sector due to youth not getting exposure and experience to a working environment.

Therefore, it has been decided to give the youth of this age an opportunity to do part-time jobs for 20 hours per month.

Private companies will also be allowed to make payments for that period.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to amend the shop and office workers act so that women can work after 6 pm.

Amendment of Shop and Office Employees (Regulation Of Employment And Remuneration)
Act No.19 of 1954

Many business institutions such as Knowledge Process Outsourcing institutions, Business Process Outsourcing institutions, Back Office and ICT enabling Services have emerged in the country around major cities.

According to the nature of those institutions, the employees working there have to work according to the time of other countries. However, according to the Act, women can be employed after 6:00 PM only in a limited number of employments.

Therefore, it has been identified that the existing restrictive legal provisions on night work of women should be amended. Accordingly, the cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment to take necessary steps to amend the Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No.19 of 1954.