COLOMBO, June 15 -- The government of Sri Lanka has initiated preliminary steps to officially recognize domestic work as a formal employment category and strengthen the labour rights of domestic workers, the Ministry of Labour announced in a special media release on Monday (15).

The announcement coincided with Tuesday's (16) International Domestic Workers Day, an annual observance emphasizing dignity, security, and decent working conditions in alignment with the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189, which was adopted in 2011.

According to the ministry, Sri Lankan domestic workers operating both domestically and overseas serve as a vital pillar of the national economy. By providing essential services such as childca...