The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour
The Deputy Minister of Labour provided a detailed reply on the handling of complaints by the Department of Labour in 2025, stating that 18,708 complaints were resolved and 9,125 remained pending at year-end, with most complaints resolved within six months. He noted that 23,429 related court cases were pending as of 11 September 2025, with litigation delays dependent on court processes. Measures outlined to reduce delays included filling vacancies, deploying new Labour Officers, training staff, digitizing processes, improving workplace dialogue with ILO support, modernizing labour laws through a Cabinet-approved committee, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, I answer on behalf of the Minister of Labour.
¶ 02 (a) (i) In 2025, the time taken to resolve complaints submitted to the Department of Labour was approximately: - Under 6 months: 8.14% - 1–3 months: 36.72% - 3–6 months: 39.24% - 6–12 months: 15.78% - Over 12 months: 0.12%
¶ 03 Where litigation is instituted, additional time outside these ranges is required, and such delays depend on court processes beyond departmental control. As at 2025.09.11, there were 23,429 such court cases.
¶ 04 (ii) - Complaints carried forward as at 2025.01.01: 11,071 - Complaints received in 2025: 16,762 - Complaints resolved in 2025: 18,708 - Pending as at 2025.12.31: 9,125
¶ 05 (iii) Yes.
¶ 06 (iv) Steps include: - Filling staff vacancies and providing physical resources: Of 582 cadre vacancies across 2025–2026, 142 have been filled; required IT and other resources are being provided. Recently, 36 new Labour Officers assumed duties. - Training and deployment: Training programs were conducted in 2025 and will continue at provincial level in 2026 to expedite resolution. - Digitization of departmental processes: To set targets at officer level and monitor unresolved complaints against those targets. - Creating a decent work environment: Through ILO-supported social dialogue programs, awareness and support are provided to minimize complaints. - Strengthening the legal framework: Modernizing outdated labour laws to suit the current world of work and remove inter-law complexities, with a 17-member committee (approved by Cabinet, chaired by the Ministry Secretary) actively engaged in reforms. - Continuous monitoring: Zonal Deputy Commissioners convene meetings with District Assistant Commissioners; monthly and quarterly progress reviews are conducted. The Commissioner General and senior officials also review progress at zonal meetings.
¶ 07 (b) Does not arise.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Wednesday, 18 February 2026 ·No. 23308 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Mahinda Jayasinghe - Deputy Minister of Labour. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 18 February 2026. No. 23308. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/20253