Acting FM calls for stronger safeguards for migrant workers
COLOMBO ‒ Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra on Monday (28) called for stronger social protection, safer migration pathways and long-term economic security for Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families.
Addressing an event at The Kingsbury Colombo under the theme ‘Protecting Migrants: Enhancing Social Protection along the South Asia–Gulf Migration Corridor’ organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Hemachandra said overseas employment should provide opportunities for workers rather than expose them to unnecessary risks.
“Workers must be protected throughout the entire migration process, from pre-departure preparation and recruitment to employment, return and reintegration into their communities,” he said, outlining several measures being introduced by the government to strengthen protection for migrant workers. These, he said included an increase in death compensation for eligible registered migrant workers to Rs. 2 million, the introduction of a contributory pension scheme and the drafting of new legislation governing foreign employment.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has increased the death compensation from Rs 600,000 to Rs 2 million, the additional Rs 1.4 million being provided through the Bureau’s Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund, in addition to the existing insurance payment. The enhanced compensation applies to deaths of registered migrant workers occurring on or after June 25, 2025.
Hemachandra also said steps were being taken to establish a mechanism to enable Sri Lankans living overseas to exercise their voting rights.
Stressing that Sri Lanka’s foreign-employment policy should go beyond increasing the number of workers seeking employment abroad, he said greater attention must also be given to skills development, better employment opportunities, safe and orderly migration procedures, strong labour protections, and the long-term economic security of workers and their families.
Representatives from countries that are major sources of migrant workers, as well as destination countries, participated in the ILO event, which focused on strengthening regional cooperation to expand social protection for migrant workers and their families.
–ENCL
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