News

A stakeholder consultation was held to discuss the preliminary draft of Sri Lanka’s Inward Labour Migration Policy. The purpose of policy is to establish a coordinated national framework for managing the entry and employment of foreign workers in Sri Lanka. The policy will also protect the employment interests of Sri Lankan workers.

At present, many foreign workers enter Sri Lanka following recommendations from relevant government institutions. However, there is a need for clear criteria to assess whether foreign workers are genuinely required and whether they possess the qualifications and skills needed for the jobs concerned. There is also a need to strengthen the monitoring of foreign workers after their arrival. An effective system is required to verify whether they work for their approved employers and leave the country when their employment ends. Recent incidents involving foreign workers and alleged online scams have further highlighted the importance of effective procedures for recruiting and managing foreign workers.

The consultation brought together representatives of relevant government institutions, trade unions and employers’ organizations, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the consultants involved in preparing the policy framework. The consultation provided an opportunity for stakeholders to review the preliminary draft and propose improvements. Discussions highlighted the importance of clear assessment criteria, effective monitoring systems and better information-sharing among the institutions concerned.

The development of this policy marks an important step towards a coordinated approach to inward labour migration. The policy is expected to help ensure that the employment of foreign workers responds to the country’s actual needs, while protecting employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers.