Children’s welfare under a guardian:

New legislation for Lankan maids overseas bound

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Legislation will be introduced soon to make it compulsory for Sri Lankan women who go abroad as housemaids to hand over the welfare of their children to a close guardian in writing, Child Development and Women’s Empowerment Minister Tissa Karaliyadda told the Daily News yesterday.

Minister Tissa Karaliyadda

Minister Karaliyadda said that this will minimize social problems caused due to mothers leaving their families.

“Arrangements will also be made to stop women going abroad as housemaids if they have young daughters.

These arrangements will be made to ensure their children’s safety and welfare.

Discussions are on with Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera to increase the minimum age for housemaids,” he added.

Meanwhile Minister Dilan Perera said that Sri Lankan women are being discouraged from going abroad as housemaids and while foreign employment for skilled, semi-skilled and professionals are being encouraged.

The minimum age limit for housemaids had been increased from 18 to 21 to discourage them to seek foreign employment as housemaids, he said. According to Minister Perera this age will be increased up to 30 years soon to further discourage women.

“The maximum age limit will be brought down from 50 to 45.

This will solve all related social problems arising when mothers go abroad as housemaids leaving their families,” the Minister said.