US donates $1.4 mn to support Sri Lanka's Labour Rights

United States Ambassador Michele J. Sison, announced a $1.4 million grant on April 5 to launch a labour rights system in Sri Lanka. Partnering with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations, this grant would establish an Integrated Labour Administration system, which would automate and improve labour case management, by linking the Sri Lankan Department of Labour and Labour Commissioner's office to the regional labour inspectors, announced the US embassy in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ambassador Sison said, "The US Government supports these efforts, because it is clear that respecting the rights of workers leads to positive, long-term economic success." Ambassador Sison added, "In the United States, we have a deep-seated belief that labour rights are human rights."

The US Department of Labour, through its Bureau of International Labour Affairs, provides grants around the world to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and are able to share in the benefits of the global economy.

In Sri Lanka, the labour inspection system is part of a larger project that aims to build stronger worker and employer organizations, review and amend labour laws to comply with international standards, improve the institutions and processes for better labour-management relations and improve the ability of the government - employer - employee relationship to resolve and prevent labour disputes. The project is being implemented by the ILO, in partnership with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations and Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka.