The Cabinet has approved a proposal to amend the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act, aiming to increase the fines for child labor violations.

The current penalty for illegally employing children under 16, or for engaging those aged 16 to 18 in hazardous work, is a maximum fine of Rs. 10,000 or up to 12 months in jail. 

The Ministry of Labour stated that this fine is no longer a sufficient deterrent, and the proposed changes will bring the penalties in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions ratified by Sri Lanka.