Govt. develops National Foreign Employment Policy to safeguard migrant workers

Jagath Pushpakumara

• While ensuring safety and wellbeing of migrant workers, policy aims to boost remittances, economic growth

In a significant move towards ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Sri Lankan migrant workers and enhancing the country’s economic prosperity, the government has developed a comprehensive National Foreign Employment Policy. 
The policy has been submitted for approval to the Cabinet of Ministers.
The policy is designed to safeguard the rights and security of Sri Lankan migrant workers, provide them with access to quality training and support and promote fair and ethical recruitment practices. 
It also aims to increase the number of high-skilled Sri Lankan workers employed overseas, boost remittances and contribute to the country’s economic development.
The development of the policy was led by the Foreign Employment Promotion State Ministry, headed by Foreign Employment Promotion State Minister Jagath Pushpakumara, in consultation with a wide range of stakeholders.
In 2022, 311,056 Sri Lankans registered through the Foreign Employment Bureau to work abroad. By July 2023, nearly 200,000 had already registered for overseas employment. 

Govt. develops...
The total amount of foreign remittances received in 2022 was US $ 3789.40 million, against US $ 3363.6 million received by July 2023.
Meanwhile, during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre yesterday, Pushpakumara highlighted various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of migrant workers and their families. 
These include free insurance for all Sri Lankans registering for foreign employment, scholarships for the children of low-income migrant workers, relief for returning workers after accidents abroad and extensive training programmes to prepare individuals for overseas employment.

The total amount of foreign remittances received in 2022 was US $ 3789.40 million, against US $ 3363.6 million received by July 2023.
Meanwhile, during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre yesterday, Pushpakumara highlighted various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of migrant workers and their families. 
These include free insurance for all Sri Lankans registering for foreign employment, scholarships for the children of low-income migrant workers, relief for returning workers after accidents abroad and extensive training programmes to prepare individuals for overseas employment.