Business · Sri Lanka Bureau
Women trade unionists demand urgent reforms on unpaid care work
Female labour activists in Sri Lanka are calling for comprehensive legislative reforms to address the burden of unpaid care work, arguing that current labour laws fail to protect or recognize domestic and caregiving responsibilities.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Women trade unionists have launched a concerted push for urgent labour reforms to tackle the systemic issue of unpaid care work, which disproportionately affects female workers across Sri Lanka's economy.
The activists contend that existing labour legislation does not adequately address or protect workers engaged in unpaid domestic and caregiving responsibilities, which often limit their participation in formal employment and economic advancement. They argue that the current legal framework fails to recognize care work as a legitimate labour concern requiring regulatory intervention.
The call for reform highlights the gendered nature of care responsibilities, with women continuing to shoulder substantial unpaid work burdens while balancing formal employment. Trade unionists emphasize that without legislative recognition and protections, female workers remain economically vulnerable and unable to fully participate in the labour market.
The activists are seeking comprehensive policy changes that would recognize unpaid care work within labour law frameworks, potentially including mechanisms for compensation, leave provisions, and protections for workers with caregiving responsibilities. Their advocacy reflects broader regional concerns about labour equity and the need for legal systems to evolve alongside changing work patterns and family structures.