Illegal Lankans asked to report

ALL Sri Lankans who are illegally staying in Bahrain are being urged to contact their consulate. About 200 Sri Lankans are believed to be living and/or working in Bahrain illegally, Sri Lanka honorary consul P B Higgoda told the GDN.

"We are asking for these people to come forward so that we can sort out any problem and help them leave the country," he said.

Mr Higgoda was speaking on the sidelines of an embassy open day for Sri Lankans seeking assistance and advice. About 150 people attended the embassy's mobile service held at the Sri Lankan Club House, Manama, yesterday.

They put passport, recruitment and labour issues before Mr Higgoda, Sri Lankan foreign employment and welfare minister consular to Kuwait Kalyani Herath and other officials.

Mr Higgoda said they had received about 15 cases of runaway employees and each would be investigated and arrangements would be made to have them sent home.

Other issues included non-payment of salary and employees wanting to return home before their contracts were over.

"We had three cases where employees hadn't received their salaries and we will follow this up with the local agent," said Mr Higgoda.

"There were two cases where a relative had died and the sponsor wasn't allowing their employee to return home.

"The sponsor has paid BD650-BD700 to bring the housemaid from Sri Lanka for two years and if they want to leave then the sponsor will ask for the money.

"Sometimes the employee lies so we have to check if it is true and try to resolve it by negotiation."

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