Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2020-06-10

Amendment of the applicable labour legislations to make the minimum age a worker can be employed as 16 years concurrent to the World Day Against Child Labour, 12th June 2020

- Concurrent to the 'World Day Against Child Labour', which falls on 12th June 2020 and as set out in the policy statement 'Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour' under the heading of 'An informed and knowledgeable child population', the approval of the Cabinet has been granted to amend the following labour laws so as to increase the minimum age of employment up to 16 years to comply with the compulsory schooling age enabling to ensure that all children in the country are entitled to the privileges and rights as per the International convention on the Rights of the child.

1. The Shop and Office Employees (Regulation of Employment and Remuneration) Act No.19 of 1954 (Chapter 129)

2. The Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act No 47 of 1956

3. The Act to amend the Minimum Wages (Indian Labour) Ordinance, (Chapter 135)

4. The Factories Ordinance No 45 of 1942

5. The Orders declared by publishing in the Extraordinary Gazette dated 31.10.1958 in accordance with the provisions of the Employees Provident Fund Act, No.15 of 1958