Support Systems for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers 2018
— July 16, 2019Support systems are vital in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of migrant workers in countries of origin, transit, and destination. These support systems are usually provided by Ministries of Labour and Foreign Affairs. Ideally, services such as pre-departure and post-arrival orientation, document authentication, shelter, legal assistance, complaints mechanism, and repatriation should be available for workers during the entire migration process. However, because of gaps and other challenges, civil society organizations (CSOs) are also stepping in to extend further assistance to migrant workers.
Recognizing the importance of support systems for migrant workers, the Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) developed and released in 2017 infographics of the services being provided for migrant workers by the governments of Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, and Sri Lanka in top destination countries. MFA also began updating the infographics this 2019 by covering the services being provided by both government and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in both the origin and destination countries. Infographics were also developed on available support systems for countries of destination namely Singapore and Malaysia.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and UAE are the top destinations of Sri Lankan migrant workers. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is the main government agency that watches over labour migration. SLBFE has hotlines, regional centres, district offices, and airport offices where complaints of migrant workers could be lodged. The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs handles complaints concerning women and children. The government also provides welfare services to migrant workers which include: payment of compensation on humanitarian ground, child day care centre and child protection programme, distribution of school equipment, and housing project for disabled migrant workers.
Support Systems Available for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers in Countries of Destination
Support Systems Available for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers in Country of Origin
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