Explain the purpose and main features of the Shop and Office Employees Act and the Wages Boards Ordinance.

1. 1 · Open in two lines. Both laws protect workers' pay and working time: one for shop and office staff, the other trade by trade.
2. 2 · Shop and Office Employees Act: purpose and coverage. 1954; employees of shops and offices.
3. 3 · Its main features.
   • Hours and overtime; meal and rest intervals.
   • Weekly and annual holidays, casual leave.
   • Payment of wages on time; maternity; women and young persons.
4. 4 · Wages Boards Ordinance: purpose. 1941; boards for particular trades set minimum wages and terms.
5. 5 · Its main features. Tripartite boards; minimum rates, overtime, hours, leave; binding once gazetted; records and inspection.
6. 6 · Compare in a table. [Table: year / coverage / how terms are set / typical workplace]
7. 7 · In Sri Lankan business. Supermarket and bank staff under the Act; tea estate and garment workers under wages boards.
8. 8 · Close in one line. Enforced by the Department of Labour, both laws set a legal floor below which terms cannot fall.

Scoring tip: Describe purpose and features only. Do not guess hours or rates; examiners reward the structure.