Archives

Family members of dead migrant workers paid Rs. 1.4 million compensation last year

by Ananda Kannangara

The Government last year paid Rs. 1.4 million as compensation to the next of kin of 145 Sri Lankan migrant workers who died while being employed overseas, a survey by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) revealed yesterday.

The payments were made under the "Sarana Funeral Expenses Refund Scheme", funded by the Bureau.

The deaths of another 55 workers had also been reported during this period and their funerals were held in the respective countries where they were employed, with the legal consent of family members here.

Out of 200 victims 105 were males while 95 were females. Most of the workers died in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, Yemen, Qatar and Oman. Few deaths were also reported from Bangladesh, Maldives, Cyprus and Italy.

The survey found that 115 deaths occurred due to natural causes while others died from road accidents, suicide, homicides and falls from heights.

"In addition to the compensations paid by us, the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation had also paid compensation to the immediate family members of victims under the "Suraksha" Insurance policy, Chairman, SLBFE Susantha Fernando told the Daily News.

He said a programme will be implemented by the Bureau to minimise unnatural deaths to workers in future by recruiting additional Sri Lankan welfare officers, labour attaches, doctors and lawyers to embassies in the Middle East.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager