141. Differential rates between male and female workers in the Salt-Manufacturing Industry, with
effect from 01 December 2016, the basic wages of female workers have been realigned at par with
that of male workers (Government Notice No. 273 of 2016).
142. Differential rates in Remuneration Regulations applicable in agricultural sectors, notably in
the Sugar (Agricultural Workers) and Tea Industry are rather based on the inherent requirements
of the jobs and as such should not be viewed as being discriminatory. They actually correspond
to differences in the work performed in terms of tasks allocated, which is generally much lesser
for female workers as compared to their male counterparts. Such differences in the work
performed are further reinforced by statutory limitations on assignment of tasks to women in those
sectors.
CONDITIONS OF WORK
143. The National Remuneration Board (NRB), reconstituted under section 90 of the Employment
Relations Act (EReA), is responsible for making recommendations on minimum remuneration and
other terms and conditions of employment for workers in the private sector. While reviewing
Remuneration Regulations, it remains guided by the principles outlined at section 97 of the EReA.
144. In so far as is consistent with the contextual evolution of the sectors of activity, ensures that
wage determination, job appellations and classifications are based on the principle of “equal
remuneration for work of equal value”, as outlined in ILO Convention No. 100. In that respect
wages of workers employed in different sectors of economic activities and presently covered under
a specific Remuneration Regulations have generally been determined having regards to nondiscriminatory factors/criteria including among others nature of work to be performed, degree of
skill required, capacity and qualification.
145. The normal working hours in the security sector is currently 12 hours daily over a period of
6 days which makes a total of 72 normal working hours per week. The NRB has made
recommendations in April 2019 on the Security Guards remuneration orders and has inter-alia
proposed to reduce the normal working hours to 48. Some 5000 persons are employed in the
security sector. Same is being reviewed.
146. The Finance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, No. 11 of 2018, has amended the ERiA and
has introduced the notion of “work from home”. A “homeworker” is one who is aged 18 years or
more and carries out work at his residential premises or at such other place, not being business
premises, as may be agreed upon with his employer but does not include a person who owns or
operates his own business and an entrepreneur or a self-employed person. The Employment Rights
(Working from Home) Regulations 2019 prescribing terms and conditions of work from home
workers is effective as from March 2019. As it is recent measure, no statistics have yet been
compiled to quantify its impact.
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