Strengthening evidence on platform work, reviewing existing labour and regulatory frameworks and exploring ways to extend social security and labour protection to platform workers were highlighted as priorities for Sri Lanka as it considers how to promote decent work in the rapidly growing platform economy.
The areas were identified by representatives of government, employers’ and workers’ organizations, digital labour platforms, platform workers’ organizations and academia at a national workshop organized in Colombo on 13 October 2026. The findings are expected to inform further national dialogue and consideration of policy and regulatory measures, including as part of Sri Lanka’s ongoing labour law reform process.
The discussions follow the adoption of ILO's Decent Work in the Platform Economy Convention, 2026 (No. 193), the first international labour standard specifically addressing platform work.
Opening the workshop, H.M.D.N.K. Wataliyadda, Commissioner General of Labour, emphasized the need for labour policies and institutions to respond to changing forms of work, while balancing worker protection with flexibility, innovation, sustainable enterprises and economic opportunities.
Platform-mediated work is expanding in Sri Lanka, particularly in ride-hailing, delivery services and online freelancing, creating opportunities for income generation, entrepreneurship and labour market participation. At the same time, it raises questions concerning employment status, remuneration and payment, social protection, occupational safety and health, algorithmic management, data protection and access to dispute resolution.
Joni Simpson, Director of the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives underscored the importance of social dialogue between the government, employers and workers in shaping appropriate responses.
“Digital labour platforms are opening new opportunities for workers and businesses in Sri Lanka, but innovation must go hand in hand with decent work. Through social dialogue, Sri Lanka has an opportunity to shape a platform economy that supports sustainable enterprises while ensuring fairness, protection and dignity for workers,” she said.
The workshop examined developments in Sri Lanka’s platform economy, the opportunities it offers and emerging decent work issues. Participants explored the scope and key provisions of Convention No. 193 and considered its relevance to the Sri Lankan context.
The discussions also drew on international experience with policy and regulatory approaches to platform work and approaches to extending social security coverage. Issues considered included employment classification, remuneration, occupational safety and health, social protection, automated systems and algorithms, data protection, account deactivation and dispute resolution.
Areas identified for future action included strengthening data and evidence on platform work in Sri Lanka; reviewing existing labour and regulatory frameworks, including issues related to employment status; exploring options to extend social security and labour protection; addressing key working conditions issues, including occupational safety and health, remuneration, data protection and access to grievance mechanisms; and strengthening tripartite dialogue and institutional coordination.
The workshop was organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Department of Labour.
Source: ILO
