Gig-economy: Sri Lanka eyes labour law reform

Sri Lanka has identified strengthening evidence on platform work, reviewing existing labour and regulatory frameworks, and extending social security and labour protection to platform workers as priorities to consider when promoting decent work in the platform or gig economy, according to a press release made by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Accordingly, the areas were identified at a national workshop in Colombo on 13 October, organised by the ILO with the Ministry of Labour and Department of Labour, bringing together government, employer and worker representatives, digital labour platforms, platform worker organisations and academia. The findings are expected to inform national dialogue and policy consideration, including as part of Sri Lanka’s ongoing labour law reform process.

The discussions follow the adoption of the ILO’s Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 (No. 193), the first international labour standard specifically addressing platform work.

The workshop examined employment classification, remuneration, occupational safety and health, social protection, algorithmic management, data protection, account deactivation, and dispute resolution.

The identified priorities include strengthening data and evidence, reviewing labour and regulatory frameworks including employment status, exploring social security extension options, addressing working conditions, and strengthening tripartite dialogue and institutional coordination.