Amnesty International, Clean Clothes Campaign, and Human Rights Watch have urgently called on the Sri Lankan government to stop its proposed labour law reforms, citing concerns that the changes would undermine workers’ rights and protections by removing international minimum standards.
In an open letter to Sri Lanka’s government and parliament, the coalition highlighted that the proposed reforms could severely impact the garment industry by compromising human rights standards, potentially harming the country’s reputation and responsible sourcing practices.
The rights groups emphasized the need for comprehensive consultation with workers and their representatives before any reforms are enacted. They warned that the proposed draft Act contains clauses that threaten Sri Lanka’s compliance with international labour laws, including ILO conventions No. 87, 98, 144, and 190.
The coalition stressed the importance of a transparent and inclusive reform process that respects established democratic procedures and international labour standards.