Press releases

This is a list of official ILO press releases issued by the ILO Office in Sri Lanka. The most recent release is at the top.

2023

  1. Beyond the barriers, it’s a great feeling to become a seafarer

    08 March 2023

    Nayomi Amarasinghe is the first female seafarer Sri Lanka has ever produced. Last year, an ILO partnership with the Mahapola Port and Maritime Academy helped her to become a seafarer, landing Nayomi a job with the well renowned Carnival Cruise Line giving her a new sense of independence and purpose.

  2. ILO extends short-term income generation support to the most vulnerable to navigate ongoing economic challenges

    09 February 2023

    Prioritizes assistance to youth, persons with disabilities, and women heads of households in Sri Lanka’s Northern province through numerous targeted responses

2022

  1. The International Labour Organization and Government of Japan join hands together to enhanced socio-economic reintegration and economic wellbeing of returnee and aspirant Sri Lankan migrant workers

    20 December 2022

  2. 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting concludes with launch of ‘Singapore Statement’

    09 December 2022

    Statement identifies priorities to tackle wide range of existing and new employment challenges facing Asia, the Pacific and Arab States.

  3. ILO’s 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting opens with call for greater efforts to ensure inclusive growth

    06 December 2022

    Government, employer and worker representatives from Asia and the Pacific and the Arab States gather in Singapore to shape priorities for action to drive employment growth in both regions.

  4. 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization to take place 6-9 December in Singapore

    29 November 2022

    High-level participation to include President of Singapore H.E. Halimah Yacob, new ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and 15 ministers from Asia, the Pacific and Arab States.

  5. Jobs in Asia and the Pacific record modest recovery while future growth prospects remain challenging

    28 November 2022

    Region’s labour market yet to get back on pre-crisis track while clear need exists to drive decent work in sectors employing the majority of workers.

  6. Media opportunities at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM)

    25 November 2022

    Information on opportunities for media coverage at the 17th APRM

  7. ILO to release new report on Asia-Pacific Employment and Social Outlook 2022

    24 November 2022

    This third edition of the biennial Asia–Pacific Employment and Social Outlook pulls together the most recent statistics to highlight how labour markets in the region are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

  8. The ITCILO invites youth to the Winter Global Youth Forum 2023

    15 November 2022

    The ITCILO, training arm of the International Labour Organization, invites undergraduate, graduate students and young professionals to participate in the Winter Global Youth Forum 2023 – an experiential learning platform bringing youth at the forefront of efforts aimed at supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  9. 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization to take place 6-9 December in Singapore

    10 November 2022

    The 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the ILO will be held 6 to 9 December 2022 in Singapore, to discuss concrete steps to drive job-rich growth that is inclusive and transformative.

  10. “From multiple crises to a job-rich and inclusive recovery in Sri Lanka”

    08 November 2022

    "What needs to be done? Clearly, dealing with urgency of the economic dimensions of the crisis is a key priority". An opinion editorial by Sher Verick, Head, Employment Strategies for Inclusive Transformation Unit, ILO

  11. The Norwegian Embassy and the International Labour Organization come together to improve the economic wellbeing of vulnerable groups

    11 October 2022

    The new project, with an investment of approx. 1.9 million USD, will prioritize decent work opportunities for the most vulnerable and marginalized women and men. It will primarily focus on supporting value chains in the agriculture and fisheries sector towards achieving a growing and inclusive economy in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

  12. The ITCILO invites youth to the Summer Global Youth Forum 2022

    04 July 2022

    The ITCILO, training arm of the International Labour Organization, invites undergraduate, graduate students and young professionals to participate in the Summer Global Youth Forum 2022 – an experiential learning platform bringing youth at the forefront of efforts aimed at supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and achieving its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  13. Protecting and promoting migrant workers' rights through enhanced engagement by state officials, trade union members, and civil society partners in national, regional and international labour migration processes

    29 June 2022

    The ILO in Sri Lanka through its Safe Labour Migration Project (Phase IV) supported by the Government of Switzerland, is collaborating with HELVETAS to capacitate state officials, trade unionists, and civil society partners engaged in migrant rights protection.

  14. Towards a South Asian Qualification Reference Framework

    23 June 2022

    The International Labour Organization for Sri Lanka and the Maldives (ILO) jointly with Sri Lanka's Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) hosted a virtual awareness session on the South Asian Qualification Reference Framework (SAQRF) on 23 June 2022. A fruitful discussion was held with the active participation of nearly 90 stakeholders.

  15. Better Work partners with Sri Lankan industry stakeholders

    06 February 2022

    The ILO and IFC’s Better Work programme is launching an ambitious intervention in Sri Lanka, with the support of the European Union.

  16. © KB Mpofu / ILO 2023

    ILO downgrades labour market recovery forecast for 2022

    17 January 2022

    The ILO’s World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2022 report warns of a slow and uncertain recovery, as the pandemic continues to have a significant impact on global labour markets.

2021

  1. Supporting Sri Lankan Youth seize the potential of entrepreneurship, International Labour Organization and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce embark on new partnership

    08 November 2021

    The collaboration is among the many key initiatives of ILO’s South Asia Leadership in Entrepreneurship Programme implemented in Sri Lanka and Nepal, and funded by the U.S. Department of State

  2. Decent work for sanitation workers in South Asia under the spotlight

    21 October 2021

    A recent workshop highlighted existing challenges and opportunities, as well as actions taken by the ILO, governments and social partners to address decent work deficits facing sanitation workers in South Asia.