Daily News Online

DateLine Saturday, 10 March 2007

News Bar »

News: Commercial links between LTTE and al-Qaeda- FM...          Financial: SLTB invests Rs. 400m for marketing  ...          Sports: Thomians set to thrash Royalists black and blue....

Home

 | SHARE MARKET  | EXCHANGE RATE  | TRADING  | PICTURE GALLERY  | ARCHIVES | 

dailynews
 ONLINE


OTHER PUBLICATIONS


OTHER LINKS

Marriage Proposals
Classified
Government Gazette

A victory for women

The International Women’s Day was observed with much fanfare in Sri Lanka and around the world on Thursday. Women in Sri Lanka had another reason to rejoice on Women’s Day, as the Government announced a ban on foreign employment for women with children aged five or younger.

Women’s groups in Sri Lanka have been advocating such a measure for several years, having seen the social impact of mothers opting for foreign employment, leaving their young children behind.

Moreover, even mothers who have children over the age of five will have to prove that they will be on safe hands during the period of their overseas employment.

This proposal by Women Empowerment and Child Welfare Minister Sumedha Jayasena is a step in the right direction. It also fits in perfectly with the concepts envisaged in Mahinda Chintana for children’s welfare.

It is well known that the majority of foreign employment seekers in Sri Lanka are women. This especially affects families with young children, as a mother’s love and care are essential for very young children.

There are many instances where the fathers simply spend the money sent by the mother working overseas on alcohol and gambling, ruining the lives of the children. Their education and upbringing are totally neglected in such cases.

Sri Lanka has a good record in women’s welfare, child care and education spheres, almost on par with the developed world.

However, poverty has compelled many mothers especially in rural areas to seek foreign employment, as the salaries are much higher.

They may go with the best of intentions, but the consequences for the children are often not healthy at all.

Women going abroad also face many problems, including harassment by employers, non-payment of salaries and abysmal working conditions which ultimately shatter the dream of having a better life upon their return to Sri Lanka.

Creating more employment opportunities within Sri Lanka is one obvious answer.

Although the salaries may be lower, a mother working in Sri Lanka itself, ideally close to home, can look after growing-up children. The Government plans to create more industries in remote areas, which could help generate such employment.

The Government must also be commended for its plan to minimise the migration of unskilled workers, both male and female. Skilled workers, mainly professionals, can earn more foreign exchange than unskilled workers.

Now skilled workers including nurses are gradually being sent abroad to Western countries. The Government is also exploring the possibility of sending more male workers abroad.

The importance of ensuring the welfare of Lankan workers abroad was highlighted in Parliament yesterday, during an adjournment motion on the recent execution of four Lankan workers in Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Employment Promotion Minister Keheliya Rambukwella endorsed the proposal for a Parliamentary Select Committee on facilitating better working and living conditions for migrant workers as well as more comprehensive legal assistance.

He rightly pointed out that migrant workers should be given a thorough briefing on the laws of the respective countries.

Conceding that there are shortcomings in the welfare process, he said the Government’s attention has been drawn to formulating a comprehensive welfare mechanism for migrant workers, who remit of millions of dollars to Sri Lanka every year.

More welfare officers should be appointed to some of the countries with a substantial Lankan population. The authorities should also study the welfare mechanisms evolved by countries such as India, Philippines and Indonesia for their citizens abroad.

For a start, the Foreign Employment Bureau should strictly enforce the regulations pertaining to the overseas employment of women with young children. We hope this is the beginning of a series of progressive measures aimed at uplifting women in Sri Lanka.

‘Sri Lanka’s Foreign and Security Policy: The Challenge of Terrorism’

THE violent terrorist activities of the LTTE in Sri Lanka which is known worldwide to have pioneered the lethal art of suicide attacks against civilians now being copied by the al-Qaeda network and instilling a similar culture in innocent children has posed a serious challenge to our national security. The LTTE being steeped in violence has resulted in the loss of over 60,000 lives.

Full Story

Sri Lankan Malays and their coexistence

MALAYS came to Sri Lanka as soldiers. Malays were followers of Islam and had great respect and belief in the religion. During the Portuguese regime, hundreds of thousands of Sinhala/Tamil people were converted as Roman Catholics.

Full Story

Terrorists and political fools

IT is pathetic to read the accusations levelled against the Government by the ex-ministers who like the former French royality haven’t learnt or forgotten anything. Both ministers cut a very sorry figure when they try to act lilly white while attempting their best to blacken the Government which they served until recently.

Full Story

EMAIL |   PRINTABLE VIEW | FEEDBACK

Gamin Gamata - Presidential Community & Welfare Service
www.lankapola.com
www.srilankans.com
Immediate Sale - 12 ACRE-LAND
Villa Lavinia - Luxury Home for the Senior Generation
www.news.lk
www.defence.lk
www.helpheroes.lk/
www.peaceinsrilanka.org
www.army.lk

| News | Editorial | Financial | Features | Political | Security | Sport | World | Letters | Obituaries | News Feed |

Produced by Lake House Copyright © 2006 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.

Comments and suggestions to : Web Editor