Women, Young Persons and Child Employment Act:

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved amendments to increase fines imposed under the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, No. 47 of 1956.

The Government had previously granted policy approval through a Cabinet decision dated 3 September 2025, to revise the fines under the Act in line with present-day conditions.

The Legal Draftsman has prepared a Bill to amend Sections 7(3), 13(2) and 20(a)(3) of the Act by increasing the relevant fines from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 100,000. The Attorney General’s clearance has also been received for the draft legislation.

The proposal submitted by the Labour Minister to publish the Bill in the Government Gazette and subsequently present it to Parliament for approval was also approved by the Cabinet.

Source: The morning