New Laws For Migrant Workers - Sunday Leader - July 14, 2013

[Mifthia]

New Laws For Migrant Workers

• “Personal Life” To Come Under Scrutiny

By Megara Tegal

Enforcing strict measures to safeguard domestic workers who seek overseas employment, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has announced that with effect from tomorrow, 15th July, all applicants will undergo vigorous screening in which every aspect of the worker’s personal life will be scrutinised. If applicants are able to prove that they can maintain a stable home in Sri Lanka while working abroad, they will be permitted to seek foreign employment as housekeeping assistants.

Aspects of their lives that will be examined include the conduct of their spouse, the number of children, protection and education of the children while the mother is away, as well as the age and health of the mother.

According to the Deputy General Manager of the SLBFE, Mangala Randeniya the background checks will be conducted by the development officers of the SLBFE. “The SLBFE has sent out a circular to foreign employment agents detailing the new process”, stated Randeniya. “Once the agents receive applicants, the development officers will visit the divisional secretaries where the applicants’ reside. The background checks will be done at the village level, as we will find out details about the applicants families, how responsible their husband is, their readiness to leave, and of course, the physical and mental health of the applicant”.
He outlined epilepsy and hysteria as some of the illnesses of which the SLBFE will be watchful.

The new scheme will certainly restrict the number of housekeeping assistants leaving Sri Lanka, however, Randeniya stated the government has been discouraging women seeking foreign employment as housekeeping assistants as the particular group no longer draws in foreign income. “The impact of a reduced number of housekeeping assistants will not have a major impact on foreign income earnings. We have however increased the minimum wage to 300 USD, so if there is a difference caused by the drop in the number of housemaids the increased minimum wage will make up for it”. In addition to the increase in minimum wage and intense screening, the women will also receive protection while abroad, and be ensured adequate rest time. However, Randeniya added that these aspects will have to be looked into by the agents. “It is part of the contract they sign when they become agents, and they will be severely dealt with if they violate their contact”, he said.

Elaborating on the contract he said that if the housekeeping assistants do not receive their minimum wage, the agents will have to reimburse the women.

 

 

 

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Mifthia Jalaldeen

Administrative Officer

Solidarity Center
No. 30A, Pamankada Lane,

Off  W.A. Silva Mawatha

Colombo 6

Sri Lanka

Telephone: 94-11-2365211/4362597

Fax:              94-11-2366543

Mobile:       94-777-764786

Solidarity Center Website: www.solidaritycenter.org