- Unregistered job seekers to face Rs.100,000 fine
- Insurance cover only for registered expat workers
- SLBFE hotline for assistance, complaints
The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday warned that all foreign employment agencies must ensure the safety of workers sent for foreign employment and the heads of agencies that send workers abroad outside the prescribed measures can be sentenced to imprisonment for up to four years. Heavy fines can also be imposed on such persons.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment said that legal action could also be taken against any workers who travel abroad without the prescribed measures and mandatory registration. They are also liable to pay a fine of up to Rs.100,000. The SLBFE received 1,371 complaints related to foreign employment in the first four months of this year alone. Of those complaints, 495 complaints have already been resolved and the Bureau will collect Rs.53,509,520 from the complainants. The SLBFE has also taken steps to initiate Court cases against the suspects for 704 complaints.
The spokesman said that all prospective overseas job seekers should register with the SLBFE first to access essential benefits and safeguards. SLBFE registration only requires a one-time payment of a fee of Rs.23,000. Registering with the SLBFE before departing for foreign employment ensures access to Government facilities and enhanced security measures, notably comprehensive insurance coverage. The SLBFE provides compensation up to Rs. 600,000 in case of work-related harm or total disability, covering airfare reimbursement for return due to illness, harassment, or accidents upon arrival, with an additional Rs. 50,000 allocated for treatment.
According to the provisions of Section 53(3) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act No. 21 of 1985, registration with the SLBFE is mandatory for those seeking foreign employment. Final approval is required through licensed private foreign employment agencies or directly from SLBFE, depending on the mode of employment.
Moreover, children of registered migrant workers benefit from educational scholarships, ranging from Rs. 20,000 for Grade 5 scholarship recipients to Rs. 35,000 for G.C.E A/L qualifiers.
The spokesman said that to register with SLBFE and benefit from these services, foreign job seekers can visit the SLBFE’s main office at No. 234, Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Koswatta, Battaramulla. There is also a 24-hour hotline – 1989.
“Registering with the SLBFE is essential to safeguard against human trafficking and ensure a secure future for individuals pursuing foreign employment,” he said.
Sri Lanka has defied economic odds, emerging from its worst post-independence downturn achieving a milestone by raking in US$ 8.1 billion through migrant workers’ remittances and tourism revenue.
The income from foreign remittances, which stood at US dollar US$ 3.8 billion in 2022 has increased to US$ 6 billion in 2023.
Moreover, the country’s gross official reserves witnessed a substantial boost, climbing from US$ 1.9 billion in 2022 to a robust US$ 4.4 billion in 2023.
