Wheels move for National Policy on Labour Migration

Rasika Somarathna

The Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Ministry yesterday announced a National Policy on Labour Migration.

The effort is intended at developing a solid framework, with better protocol to enhance labour migrants contributions to the economy, society and their families, in addition to effective measures in minimizing negative impacts and ensuring human and labour rights.

The proposed National Policy, developed with the participation of both foreign and local stakeholders, including the International Labour Organization (ILO) is considered as the first of its kind in South Asia.

Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella while officially announcing the proposed framework, said the aim was to articulate the state policy regarding Lankan labour migrants, in recognizing their significant contribution to national economy through foreign exchange remittances and other mechanisms.

“Overall, the national policy aims to promote opportunities for all men and women to engage in migration for decent and productive employment, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity,” he said.

“It is intended to do so through the institution of policies, laws, regulations, services and facilities for migrant workers and their families” the Minister said.

The proposed framework is expected to spread its tentacles on all spheres related to migrant labour through three key windows, such as good governance, protection and empowerment of workers and their families and linking migration with the development process.

According to latest statistics, the Sri Lankan migrant worker fraternity is considered to be in the excess of 1.6 million with another 220,000 (average) new recruits joining the force annually.