The First South Asian Labour Inspection System Launched in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone by becoming the first country in South Asia to launch the Labour Inspection System Application or LISA.

The First South Asian Labour Inspection System Launched in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka marked a significant milestone by becoming the first country in South Asia to launch the Labour Inspection System Application or LISA. The system provides the Ministry of Labour with the opportunity to improve coordination between its labour administration institutions spread across the country in 56 labour department offices.

The launch of this state of the art system supports the Government’s e-Sri Lanka initiative that aims to develop the economy of Sri Lanka, reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of the people through ICT.

The fully automated system supports on-site inspection processes where authorized personnel can track and monitor the statuses of the inspections as and when they occur. The system supports improved collection and analysis of labour market and inspection data through enhanced monitoring of the quantity and quality of information that is being gathered by the labour officers. This also provides timely and accurate information to the senior management of the department based on statistical reports generated from the system. Duty rosters of hundreds of inspection staff are now generated automatically and staff can collaborate through a virtual workspace providing a much needed knowledge sharing platform.

The system was developed with funding support from the United States Department of Labour (USDOL) and the technical support of the International Labour Organization (ILO) under its Project on Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the launch ceremony the United States Ambassador Michele J. Sison said "The US Government supports these efforts, because it is clear that respecting the rights of workers leads to positive, long-term economic success.” She further went on to add that, “In the United States, we have a deep-seated belief that labour rights are human rights, and thanked the ILO for taking the lead in implementing this system in Sri Lanka."

The Minister of Labour and Labour Relations Hon. Gamini Lokuge stated that the system LISA system is the ‘future’, and added that the Ministry can now plan its activities better. He further went on to state that all matters including cases for the day are available online and accessible to both the Department of Labour and the Ministry. This provides them with a snapshot in advance on the case, the case officer assigned and all other relevant information at hand. He emphasized that this system allows Sri Lanka to fulfil its international obligations such as the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81).

Mr. Donglin Li, Country Director for ILO in Sri Lanka and the Maldives highlighting the importance of this momentous occasion said that the International Labour Organisation has been supporting the Government of Sri Lanka to enhance its service delivery, fulfilling international obligations and conventions. The launch of this system provides an innovative approach to Labour Inspection whilst further strengthening the commitment of the ILO to the people of Sri Lanka.

Presentations were made by the Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations Secretary, W.J.L.U Wijayaweera, Commissioner General of Labour, Pearl Weerasinghe, and representations from employers and workers.

The labour inspection system is part of the project on Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work in Sri Lanka that aims to build stronger worker and employer organizations, review and amend labour laws to comply with international standards, improve the institutions and processes for better labour-management relations, and improves the ability of the government-employer-employee relationship to resolve and prevent labour disputes.