The forthcoming employment bill aims to introduce new provisions designed to enhance the safety culture in Sri Lanka, according to the Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanyakkaara.
Highlighting a notable deficiency in the adoption of safety measures within workplaces in Sri Lanka, the minister pointed out that this has led to over 80% of occupational accidents. He emphasized the critical need for a renewed safety culture to foster a secure working environment for all citizens in the country.
“In some countries, there are regulations governing workplace attire, unlike in Sri Lanka where there is no law enforcing safety measures to that extent. This is why we have decided to implement new laws to elevate safety standards within workplaces under the upcoming Employment bill,” he stated.
The Minister believes that by implementing appropriate safety measures, Sri Lanka has the potential to significantly reduce occupational accidents. He indicated that the Ministry, along with its affiliated institutes, is actively working on promoting a culture of safety, and various projects are currently underway to educate the populace on the importance of cultivating a safe work environment.
