SJB calls for a ban on domestic child labour

By Asiri Fernando

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday called on the Government to ban domestic child labour in Sri Lanka with immediate effect.

Addressing a press conference, SJB Parliamentarian Eran Wickramaratne urged the Government to update existing legislation by including domestic child labour into a group of 51 work categories already listed by the State as hazardous for children in line with the conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Sri Lanka has ratified the convention.

Wickramaratne declined to comment on the controversial death of a child who was employed at fellow SJB MP Rishad Bathiudeen's residence, citing ongoing investigations and legal action. However, the Opposition MP stressed that the SJB strongly believes that the law should be enforced, without discrimination, against those guilty of violence or abuse against women or children.

“This issue is in the media spotlight. We want to point out that racism has nothing to do with this. The law must be upheld and enforced. We cannot leave room for abuse or violence against women and children. It is the SJB policy to stand against the abuse and use of violence against women and children. Our children need protection,” Wickramaratne said.

He also urged existing laws be updated so that domestic child labour could be banned. Wickramaratne recalled that when Sri Lanka ratified the ILO convention on a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to child abuse, the then Government, some trade unions and the Employers' Federations, decided not to ban children from working in homes. He praised civil rights groups for advocating a ban on domestic child labour at the time.

“In Sri Lanka, 51 hazardous forms of child labour were identified and banned. We must identify domestic child labour as another and ban it.”  

Under the existing laws, four categories of child employment are banned. Accordingly, a child cannot be enslaved or made a child soldier, used for pornography or prostitution or employed in drug trafficking or begging. The employment of children in such activities is a punishable offence.