Reduce number of women migrants - WPC Governor

Disna MUDALIGE

A proper plan should be made to reduce the number of women migrants as domestic servants, said Western Province Governor Alavi Mowlana.

Addressing the Western Province Women's Day Celebrations held at the Folk Arts Centre yesterday he said that almost 99 percent of women migrants employed as domestic servants choose their employment due to poverty. He also pointed out that the country receives the highest amount of foreign exchange through them.

"Their sole aim is an economically secured future for their children. About 500,000 women are working in Saudi enduring many hardships. This affects the education of their children too. Therefore a mechanism to provide them employment within the country should be paid attention," the Governor said. Western Province Health, Indigenous Medicine, Social Welfare, Women's Affairs, Probation and Childcare and Council Affair Minister Jagath Angage and Ministry's Secretary M C L Rodrigo also addressed the gathering. Women activists from various Women and Voluntary organizations participated in the occasion.