(UTV | COLOMBO) – Minister of Employment and Labour Relations Dinesh Gunawardena says they will take steps to increase the employable age limit up to 16 years.
Speaking at a media briefing in Colombo, on World Day Against Child Labour, the Minister said Cabinet approval has also been granted for this move.
The Minister stated that Section 47 of the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children’ Act, claims it is considered an offence to employee persons under the age of 14 years.
The Labour Department has taken steps to work towards the prevention of child labour, and expect to meet this target by the end of 2022.
Accordingly, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has prohibited employing children under 16 years of age for labour.