A new portal has been opened on the Sri Lankam Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) website in order to pre-register migrant workers for  COVID-19 vaccination programme, SLBFE said.

They said the portal has been set up under the government's directive to vaccinate those who are leaving for foreign employment.

The SLBFE requested migrant workers to visit the SLBFE's official Website (www.slbfe.lk) and use the Web Portal for "Covid-19 Vaccine for Migrant Workers."

Accordingly, those who wish to leave the country for employment overseas have to register themselves for vaccination through the SLBFE Website and obtain a reference number. 

Migrant workers who have already received the first dose of the vaccine, and those who have recently obtained SLBFE registration for employment abroad, and those who have already received the first dose from the host country and returned to Sri Lanka and then return to the where they are employed and the  expatriates who are visiting on vacation are eligible to receive the vaccines under this initiative.

If migrant workers have secured employment abroad through a private channel (on a self-basis), they should submit their personal details through the SLBFE Website for pre-registration.

The self declaration shown in the system should also be accepted. If migrant workers have secured employment abroad through a Licensed Foreign Employment Agency (LFEA), their request for required vaccines should be forwarded to the SLBFE through the respective Licensed Foreign Employment Agent. 

If the migrant workers have secured employment abroad through a private channel (on self basis), the SLBFE registration fee of Rs. 16, 416/-should be made to the credit of the following account of the SLBFE through any branch of Bank of Ceylon (if the particular bank requests the bank slip issued by the SLBFE, you may collect the same from the Head Office of the SLBFE or any branch. 

The website mentioned that the above fee is charged in accordance with the provisions of SLBFE's Act No. 21 of 1985 as a legal requirement that applies to those who are leaving for employment abroad. 

Please note that no fee is charged for the vaccination, the SLBFE said.

The following details should be mentioned on the bank slip. Name of the migrant worker, Passport/Identity Card number.

The SLBFE requested not to use credit cards and e-banking facilities for this registration.

After making the payment, please upload the bank slip to the above website after completing your payment, the SLBFE added. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)