Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2022, published 111st ILC session (2023)

Right of Association (Agriculture) Convention, 1921 (No. 11) - Sri Lanka (Ratification: 1952)

The Committee recalls that for a number of years it had been requesting the Government to ensure for self-employed farmers the same association rights that industrial workers are accorded under the Trade Unions Ordinance of 1935. It had noted in this respect that, while farmers may form farmers’ organizations in line with the provisions of the Agrarian Services (Amendment) Act, No. 4 of 1991, section 56(A)(4) of this Act, which identifies the purposes of farmers’ organizations, neither grants them the right to represent members in disputes nor the right to engage in strikes. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that self-employed farmers are guaranteed the right to association as per the Agrarian Services (Amendment) Act No. 4, which allows farmers to collectively present their issues and find solutions. The Government adds that multiple protests were organized by self-employed farmer associations in 2021 but as these were peaceful in nature, the authorities have not taken any action against them. The Committee regrets that the Agrarian Services (Amendment) Act, No. 4 has not been amended to explicitly provide farmers’ organizations with the same association rights as those enjoyed by industrial workers’ organizations, in particular the right to represent members in disputes and to engage in strikes. The Committee therefore reiterates its previous request and expects the Government to provide information on all steps taken to amend the Agrarian Services (Amendment) Act, No. 4 so as to bring it into full conformity with the Convention.