Aligning Sri Lanka’s maternity protection framework with the ILO Convention No. 183

This policy brief presents a focused analysis of Sri Lanka’s maternity protection framework and its alignment with the ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183), highlighting maternity protection as a strategic lever for gender equality and labour market resilience. It distils key findings from a detailed legal and policy gap analysis to inform policy dialogue and reform priorities.

Situating maternity protection within Sri Lanka’s broader economic and demographic context, the brief highlights the urgency of reform amid population ageing, labour shortages, and recovery efforts. It outlines key policy directions, including shifting maternity financing towards social insurance, harmonising and extending legal coverage, strengthening employment protection upon return to work, and improving implementation through enforcement and awareness‑raising.

The policy brief aims to support evidence‑based decision‑making and tripartite engagement in advancing an inclusive, rights‑based maternity protection system aligned with international labour standards.