Prof. P.V.B. Karunatilaka

ChairmanSri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment

ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES

FOR SRI LANKAN

OVERSEAS WORKERS

Types of Labour Migration

Authorized Migration

Unauthorized Migration

Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC)

Countries

No. of Sri Lankan workers in GCC

countries

Country Male Female Total

Saudi Arabia 95,823 164,105 259,928

Kuwait 24,129 114,426 138,555

UAE 46,698 69,771 116,469

Qatar 65,333 15,163 80,496

Oman 5,392 9,265 14,657

Bahrain 3,897 11,557 15,454

Total 241,272 384,287 625,559

Gender wise Comparison of contract migratory workers

(Year 2004)

Female(Housemaid)

52%

Male37%

Female (Others)

11%

Ministry of Labour Relations & Foreign Employment of

Sri Lanka

Involved in policy development and Implementation on labour related issues

Coordinates with all institutions involving migration

Oversees functions of The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)

About SLBFE…About SLBFE…

promotes employment for Sri Lankans in foreign countries

regulates all operations of licenced foreign employment agents for better services

ensuring welfare and well-being of Sri Lankans employed abroad including their families

maintains a database on workers overseas

A government incorporated body established in 1985.

Common Problems faced by overseas contract

workers Breach of Contract

Harassments

Non Payment of Salaries

Over-keeping the contract period

Legal Issues & Imprisonment

Death or Serious Illness

Illegal Cross-Border Migration

On-Site Support ServicesOverseas missions,

Conciliation and mediation over disputes between Sri Lankan workers and their Sponsors

Provide welfare assistance to Sri Lankan contract workers which includes,

medical and hospital servicesrepatriation of distressed Sri Lankan workersextending legal services to victimized contract workers custodial services at the Safe Houses in missions

On-Site Support ServicesContd….Overseas Missions,

Provide consular services such as issuing and renewal of passports, extending of visas.

Organising cultural and recreational events for Sri Lankans.

Conduct mobile services in certain GCC countries.

Initiating programmes for Sri Lankan Diaspora to help overseas contract workers.

On-Site Support ServicesContd….

On-line web based information system for renewal of registration of overseas contract workers.

Video conferencing facility for overseas contract workers.

Backup services

Scholarships and school equipment Scholarships and school equipment to children of overseas contract to children of overseas contract workersworkers

Compensation of InsuranceCompensation of Insurance Host-country based insurance coverHost-country based insurance cover loans for prospective overseas loans for prospective overseas

contract workerscontract workers Special welfare centre for contract Special welfare centre for contract

workers returning in distressworkers returning in distress

Country Expenditure (US $)

Saudi Arabia 488,260.86

Kuwait 478,308.09

U.A.E 229,426.22

Oman 78,258.98

Qatar 60,626.60

Allocation for Labour Sections in foreign missions for Support

Services in 2004