Labour Laws for Contemporary Challenges in the Private Sector Business Organizations of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has directly or indirectly impacted a majority of businesses worldwide. This study concentrates on various practical outcomes of the pandemic and, what are the challenges occur in human resource management due to such outcomes. Further, it discusses the applicability of labour laws under general situations and exceptionally to the pandemic situation. The study is based on positivism philosophy with a blackletter approach. A qualitative mono method of library-based research has been adapted as the data collection method. For the qualitative data analysis, the author has used the content analysis method. The author has investigated the termination of employment, deduction of salary, and ability to claim compensation due to COIVD-19 reasons using scholar's comments, statutes, and published secondary data. The liabilities, obligations, rights and limitations regarding such disputes can be found within the Sri Lankan legal framework. Hence, when resolving the labour issues off the labour tribunal or courts, the employer and the employees must adhere to the legal framework of Sri Lanka and maintain at least the minimum requirements it imposed. This study is significantly essential for all HR practitioners, employers, and workers when dealing with exceptional situations in employment to know their limits, rights, and obligations.