A Study on the impact of labour laws on road construction project performance in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This research delves into the examination of how labour laws impact the performance of road construction projects in Sri Lanka. Utilising a qualitative research approach, the study incorporated an extensive literature review and conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 subject matter experts. The collected interview data were analysed through content analysis. The study identifies key performance metrics relevant to road projects in Sri Lanka, encompassing quality, timely completion and labour utilisation. The findings reveal that labour laws wield a significant influence on project performance, time delays, quality issues, safety incidents, and worker productivity concerns. To mitigate these impacts, the study recommended measures such as enhancing compliance with labour laws, improving stakeholder engagement, and adopting best practices from global construction projects. The study acknowledges limitations, including its focus on the road construction sector in Sri Lanka and potential influences of broader socio-economic factors on project performance. The insights generated from this research hold significance for policymakers, project managers, and various stakeholders engaged in road construction projects in Sri Lanka.