'Govt must ensure migrant workers' welfare'

DHARMA SRI ABEYRATNE and MOHAMMED NAALIR

Migrant workers have contributed US $ 2.8 billion this year to the Government's revenue, an increase of 20 per cent compared to last year, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.

The Minister was speaking at an awareness programme on AIDS prevention at the Foreign Employment Bureau Auditorium. He said since migrant workers contributed a large portion of foreign exchange which exceeds 8 per cent of the National Economy, it is the Government's duty to ensure their welfare.

In addition Rambukwella pointed out that there are 1.5 million Sri Lankans engaged in foreign employment including one million untrained housemaids. Therefore the Foreign Employment Promotions and Welfare Ministry and the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry have jointly taken steps to create awareness among the migrant workers on the possibility of them getting contracted HIV due to lack of knowledge of AIDS and how it affects the human system.

Both Ministries have taken measures to educate the migrant workers and who those about to leave for foreign employment on the risks of contracting AIDS.

Addressing the awareness programme Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said between 30 per cent to 40 per cent people who have been infected with HIV in Namibia, Zimbabwe and South African countries due to the lack of awareness programmes and ignoring UNOs precautions.

He said 800 patients affected with HIV have been found in Sri Lanka and one hundred patients have died due to AIDS.