Find Trade Union expertise in Sri Lanka

Approximately 20 per cent of Sri Lanka’s work force is unionised and there are over 1,900 registered unions in the country, many of which have political affiliations (2010).

There is no official national trade union centre in Sri Lanka but many trade unions chose to co-operate in the form of national federations and councils. Prominent examples include; the Public Services National Trade Union Federation, who consist of 48 major trade unions representing all government departments and ministries; the Ceylon Workers Congress, who represent plantation workers unions; and the All Ceylon Trade Union Federation, established to organise public sector workers.

Some of the country’s larger trade unions include the Ceylon Mercantile Union, Jathika Sevaka Sangayama and the Ceylon Bank Employees Union.

All trade unions must be registered with the Registrar of Trade Unions within three months of formation in compliance with the Trade Union Ordinance.