There can be delays when providing redress to housemaids who are facing various difficulties in the Middle East, the Chief Government Whip Dinseh Gunawardene told parliament today.

Responding to a question by United National Party (UNP) Matara District Parliamentarian Buddhika Pathirana, Mr. Gunawardene said the government was often unable to provide assistance to Sri Lankan housemaids due to practical difficulties.

“We have not been able to help the housemaids as quickly as we will like but we have helped so many in the recent past,” he said and added that the government had been able to get employers to pay salary arrears to a large number of housemaids while many others were brought back to the country.

Posing a supplementary question, Mr. Pathirana charged that some officers attached Sri Lankan embassies were reportedly rude to the housemaids and requested the government to provide them training in handling public relations.

Mr. Gunawardene said special units have been set up in Sri Lankan missions to handle issues faced by expatriate workers. (Yohan Perera and Kelum Bandara)