Press release

“The Future of Work in Sri Lanka” report launch

Shaping technology transitions for a brighter future

News | Colombo, Sri Lanka | 13 March 2019
COLOMBO (ILO News)-The International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives has released a milestone report: “The Future of Work in Sri Lanka: Shaping technology transitions for a brighter future”. Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, graced the event as the Chief Guest.

ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Ms Simrin Singh presenting “The Future of Work in Sri Lanka” report to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, with Tandem Research Founding Director Dr. Vikrom Mathur
The report by TANDEM Research tries to fill a genuine gap in the current debate on the impact of emerging technologies on the world of work in developing countries. Automation and job displacement; employment conditions (with an emphasis on labour welfare and social protection), and labour inequities, are the lens through which the Future of Work in Sri Lanka is examined.

In keeping with the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda and mission of social justice, the recommendations in the report include policy suggestions for education and skilling for future jobs, technology and innovation to harness greater entrepreneurial potential and employment, labour protection to regulate and protect workers in the platform economy, and redistributing gains from technological transitions.

The report also develops ‘propositions’ on how to shape a better future of work for Sri Lanka from the point of view of the vulnerable, with implications to increase women’s labour force participation, to tackle the youth unemployment and underemployment challenge, and to care for a rapidly ageing society.

Three vital ‘Bright Spots’ for Sri Lanka – as it faces technological transitions – are highlighted. These are: the care economy, tourism, and green and sustainable business.

“We cannot resist this transformation. We have to ensure it works for Sri Lanka. The next few years will decide what our [Sri Lanka’s] future of work is going to be”

Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Speaking at the launch, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, congratulated the ILO on turning 100 and acknowledged the timely significance of its report on Sri Lanka’s rapidly changing world of work. “We cannot resist this transformation. We have to ensure it works for Sri Lanka. The next few years will decide what our [Sri Lanka’s] future of work is going to be,” commented Mr. Wickremesinghe before a packed and diverse audience of cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, employers and workers representatives, private sector leaders, platform workers and more.

“While the impact of technology on the future of work is a global phenomenon, it is critical to reflect on and analyse these changes through a local lens. This report investigates the implications of Sri Lanka’s unique local political, legal and socio-economic structures against an unsettled global backdrop and is a vital contribution to understanding the challenges and opportunities in the world of work for the next two decades,” commented Ms. Simrin Singh, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives.

“Many young people in Sri Lanka will not be interested in manual jobs but will not have the education and skills for the advanced jobs. The social and political consequences of a large pool of young people who can’t find jobs that meet their aspirations could be challenging. Skilling and constant re-skilling need to be the most critical priority. Vocational skilling will not be enough – a focus on foundation education is critical for ensuring aptitude for life-long learning,” noted lead author Dr. Vikrom Mathur of TANDEM Research, speaking about the changing world of work in Sri Lanka and its implications for the next generation.

This landmark report in the ILO’s centenary year is a result of multiple consultations with the ILO in Sri Lanka’s tripartite constituents, youth, platform workers, entrepreneurs, exporters, academics and development practitioners. It provides the basis for anticipatory policy frameworks and to spur social dialogue to ensure that no one will be left behind in the world of work in Sri Lanka.

For more information please contact:

Mr. Asitha Seneviratne, ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives: asitha@ilo.org
Tel: + 94112592525