Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Weekly Rest (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1957 (No. 106) - Sri Lanka (Ratification: 1983)

Previous Comment

The Committee notes the observations of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) received on 27 September 2023, concerning the application of Convention No. 106, and the Government’s reply to them.

Article 8(1) of the Convention. Temporary exemptions. In reply to the Committee’s previous comment, the Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that the proposed Employment Act is in the drafting stage, and it intends to incorporate the discerned gaps in the implementation of Article 8 the Convention. The Committee notes that in their observations, the ITUC and ITF expressed concern that the proposed Employment Act would remove the legal entitlement to take a weekly day off within the same week or the following week, and instead intends to provide for permission to accrue the weekly rest day over a four weeks-periods, at the initiative of the employer without workers’ consent. In its response, the Government indicates that no changes have been made to the existing provisions in this regard. The Committee requests the Government to adopt the necessary measures in order to bring the national legislation in line with Article 8 of the Convention and to keep the Office informed of any developments. The Committee recalls that the Government may avail itself of the technical assistance of the Office with regard to the legislative amendments that are necessary to ensure the full application of the provisions of the Convention.

In addition, regarding the possible ratification of the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14), the Committee notes the Government’s indication that no decision has been taken on the ratification of that Convention yet. The Committee requests the Government to keep the Office informed of any further developments concerning the possible ratification of Convention No. 14.