2026-02-18 / oral_question: Oral Question - Labour Complaints and Child Labour 2026-02-18
## Summary
Deputy Minister Jayasinghe provided a ministerial response on the performance and backlog status of the Department of Labour's complaint resolution process. He reported that in 2025, the majority of complaints were resolved within three to six months, with 23,429 court cases pending as of September 2025, and that the complaint backlog decreased from 11,071 to 9,125 over the course of the year. To address delays and inefficiencies, the Deputy Minister outlined several reform measures, including filling cadre vacancies (142 of 582 filled, with 36 new Labour Officers recently appointed), digitalization of departmental functions, staff training programmes, and continuous monitoring through zonal and senior management reviews. He also noted that a Cabinet-approved 17-member committee is actively leading a labour law modernisation process to simplify outdated legislation and reduce the volume of complaints.
Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister of Labour, I reply as follows:
(a)
(i) In 2025, the time taken to resolve complaints submitted to the Department of Labour was approximately:
- Less than 1 month: 8.14%
- 1–3 months: 36.72%
- 3–6 months: 39.24%
- 6–12 months: 15.78%
- Over 12 months: 0.12%
Where litigation is instituted, time taken for court proceedings is in addition to the above, and delays may occur due to reasons beyond the Department’s control. As at 2025.09.11, 23,429 such court cases were pending.
(ii)
- Complaints pending as at 2025.01.01: 11,071
- Complaints received during 2025: 16,762
- Complaints resolved during 2025: 18,708
- Complaints pending as at 2025.12.31: 9,125
(iii) Yes.
(iv) Steps include:
- Filling cadre vacancies and providing physical resources: Over 2025–2026, there were 582 cadre vacancies; 142 have been filled and necessary ICT/physical resources provided. Last Monday, 36 new Labour Officers were appointed (57 were called; 36 assumed duties). New officers are being trained and deployed; existing staff are also being trained to expedite resolution.
- Training: A series of training programmes for Labour Officers and others was conducted in 2025; further provincial-level programmes are planned this year.
- Digitalization of departmental functions: To set clear, officer-level targets for action on complaints and institute monitoring for complaints not actioned within target timeframes.
- Creating a decent work environment: Through the ILO-supported social dialogue programme, we are strengthening awareness and support for decision-making by both employers and workers to resolve issues fairly and reduce complaints.
- Strengthening the legal framework: Outdated labour laws are being modernized and simplified to suit the contemporary world of work, removing inter-statutory complexities and ensuring benefits to all parties, thereby also minimizing complaints. A 17-member committee, approved by Cabinet and chaired by the Ministry Secretary S.M. Piyathissa, is actively steering the labour law reform process.
- Continuous monitoring: The Department continuously monitors dispute resolution progress. Zonal Deputy Commissioners convene Assistant Commissioners for meetings; monthly and quarterly progress reviews are held, and at zonal progress review meetings chaired by the Commissioner General and the senior management, complaint investigation progress is a key oversight focus.
(b) Does not arise.