Sri Lanka weighs labour protections as platform work grows
ILO-backed Colombo workshop identifies evidence, labour-law review and social-security extension as priorities after adoption of Convention No. 193 on platform work.
The story in focus
A national workshop in Colombo identified strengthening evidence, reviewing labour and regulatory frameworks and extending social security and labour protection as priorities for Sri Lanka's platform economy. The 13 October meeting followed adoption of ILO Convention No. 193, the first international labour standard specifically addressing platform work, and is expected to inform national dialogue and labour law reform.
- Representatives of government, employers, workers, digital labour platforms, platform workers' organizations and academia met in Colombo on 13 October 2026.
- Discussions followed adoption of the ILO's Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 (No. 193).
- Priorities include evidence on platform work, review of labour and regulatory frameworks and extending social security and labour protection.
Priorities identified at Colombo workshop
A national workshop in Colombo on 13 October 2026 identified strengthening evidence on platform work, reviewing existing labour and regulatory frameworks, and exploring ways to extend social security and labour protection to platform workers as priorities for Sri Lanka, according to the ILO. Participants included representatives of government, employers' and workers' organizations, digital labour platforms, platform workers' organizations and academia.
The ILO said the findings are expected to inform further national dialogue and consideration of policy and regulatory measures, including as part of Sri Lanka's ongoing labour law reform process. Areas for future action also included addressing working conditions such as occupational safety and health, remuneration, data protection and access to grievance mechanisms, and strengthening tripartite dialogue and institutional coordination.
Convention follows fast-growing sector
The discussions followed the adoption of the ILO's Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 (No. 193), described by the organization as the first international labour standard specifically addressing platform work. Platform-mediated work is expanding in Sri Lanka, particularly in ride-hailing, delivery services and online freelancing, according to the ILO.
The ILO said this growth creates opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship and labour market participation, while raising questions about employment status, remuneration and payment, social protection, occupational safety and health, algorithmic management, data protection and access to dispute resolution. The workshop was organised by the ILO with the Ministry of Labour and Department of Labour.
What did the Colombo workshop identify as priorities for Sri Lanka's platform economy?
Strengthening evidence on platform work, reviewing existing labour and regulatory frameworks, and exploring ways to extend social security and labour protection to platform workers, with findings expected to inform national dialogue and labour law reform.
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