According to the Child Activity Survey conducted in 2015/2016, child labour has reduced by 60 percent in Sri Lanka compared to the previous Child Activity Survey conducted in 2008/2009. Children in hazardous locations have also significantly reduced, Labour and Trade Union Relations Minister W. D. J. Seneviratne had said. He was addressing the Fourth Global Conference on the Sustained Eradication of Child Labour, held in Argentina, recently.
Minister Seneviratne pointed out that recently, the minimum age of education was raised from 14 to 16 years, according to the regulations of the Education Ordinance by the Education Ministry. The minimum age of employment should also be raised to 16 years.
Minister Seneviratne had stated that, therefore, necessary arrangements are being made to amend the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act – No: 47 of 1956 along with other relevant laws.
The provisions prohibiting forced labour of children, prohibiting child trafficking, prohibition of commercial sexual exploitation of children and prohibiting the use of children in illicit activities are already set out in the Penal Code, the minister added.
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