Insurance scheme assured for M-E workers

Rasika Somarathna

All Sri Lankan female domestic workers taking wing to Kuwait are to be insured under a comprehensive social\security plan from this year, as Kuwaiti authorities have agreed to implement such a scheme proposed by their counterparts back home.

According to Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Kingsley Ranawaka, the insurance scheme would be handled by Kuwaiti authorities with employer bearing the entire cost of the scheme.

Under the scheme, in case of death or permanent disability, the migrant worker's relatives will be compensated with Rs. 1.2 million, he said.

Legal aid will also be provided free. Also a Rs. 500,000 medical insurance is included in the proposal, the Chairman added.

In case of emergency, the return air ticket for workers will also be provided free, under the proposed scheme.

According to the SLBFE, moves are underway to get the nod of other countries in the Middle East for such insurance plans which is being carried under the supervision of the Foreign Employment and Welfare Ministry.

Such insurance schemes exist in Jordan and United Arab Emirates with Saudi Arabia too agreeing to implement a similar plan in the near future.