Sunny life over the ocean

Over 75,000 persons had been trained during 2013; among them, 4101 persons qualified for NVQ Level III Training to become domestic housekeeping assistants. (NVQ III qualification is compulsory for those who go to KSA, Cyprus, Hong Kong & Singapore). Further, 18,054 female domestic workers completed Pre-Departure Training during 2013. While, 3025 re-migrating domestic workers were trained, 45,565 males and females were trained for non-domestic sector jobs. The introduction of this training system has reduced the number of complaints of migrant workers from 52% to 33%. Any migrant worker, who has Level III NVQ, is considered as a “house- keeping assistant”. House-keeping assistants are eligible to claim for better benefits, such as insurance during their employment in the receiving country

As noted by the Special Rapporteur, Sri Lanka practices a ‘rating system’, for licensed recruitment agencies to prevent abuses. We however recognize the challenges in full implementation and monitoring of the rules and regulations stipulated for recruitment agencies, and in particular the issues related to ‘domestic workers’, as their work is not covered by labour laws in many destination countries. Many of the issues/problems that migrant workers face in receiving countries are a result of the actions or inaction of the sponsors or employers and not only as a result of issues in connection with recruitment practices prevailing in the originating country.

The SLBFE has established a special Investigation Division to address the issues of exploitation of

It has been recognized that in Sri Lanka, domestic workers choose overseas employment and some even make repeated efforts to realize their long term aims of building a house and to avail of better educational facilities for their children. Repeated employment abroad by a father or mother of a family leads to issues including social issues that are detrimental to the family.

migrant workers at the recruitment process. This Division is empowered to take legal action against wrong doers. Annually, SLBFE entertains more than 3000 cases in connection with the exploitation of migrant workers. Cases are generally attended within 1- 2 months. This process was witnessed by the Special Rapporteur during his visit to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and acknowledged the will of authorities to resolve issues in connection to migrant workers.

It has been recognized that in Sri Lanka, domestic workers choose overseas employment and some even make repeated efforts to realize their long term aims of building a house and to avail of better educational facilities for their children. Repeated employment abroad by a father or mother of a family leads to issues including social issues that are detrimental to the family. Having taken into consideration this phenomenon, the Government offers to help the families of migrant workers build houses, by providing low-interest-rate loans before they leave Sri Lanka for foreign employment. They are encouraged to complete building their houses within the first six months of their work abroad. In addition, the Government provides low interest loans to start self-employment ventures upon their return from abroad. It helps migrant workers to commence their livelihoods domestically and avoid repeated migration for employment.While the SLFEB has also provided 13 houses free of charge during 2013, for disabled migrant workers, a special housing loan scheme of Rs. 300,000 has been set up for distressed migrant workers. During 2013 and 2014 the SLBFE has helped build houses for 506 and 539 migrant workers under these schemes. The SLBFE is also providing scholarships for the children of migrant workers to facilitate educational needs. During 2013, the Bureau has mobilized 2500 scholarships. This number is expected to be increased up to 3000 by 2015.

Sri Lanka is taking measures to prevent all forms of irregular migration, trafficking in persons and smuggling of human beings. In this context, Sri Lanka notes that irregular migration should be considered an ‘administrative offence’ and not to criminalize the migrants. The Government is taking action against those traffickers under due processes, while treating the migrants as victims of smugglers. We wish to state tha detention of irregular migrants is a step taken in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Immigration and Emigration of Sri Lanka. It is not the intention of authorities to detain families and children, except in certain exceptional circumstances, where authorities are compelled to keep them in approved places to ensure the security and safety of such foreigners. Sri Lanka is aware of the importance of looking at the issues related to irregular migrants into Sri Lanka in a nuanced manner and the need to develop a coheren national policy, as well as the additional capacity and resources required as a developing country to handle matters related to migrant welfare.