Sri Lanka, June 18 -- Although legislation providing for paid maternity leave and other in-kind benefits for women workers to help keep them in the labour force has existed for more than 80 years, Sri Lanka has one of the lowest female labour force participation rates in South Asia (29.8%, Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey 2024).

In Sri Lanka, the maternity laws specifically recognise the reproductive role of women and provide for paid and compulsory leave for women workers, protection from discrimination during pregnancy, job security, mandatory health and safety measures to protect the mother and child and provisions for nursing intervals and creche facilities. The Maternity Benefits Ordinance (MBO) of 1939 applies to women working in a ...