Grads to assist Ratawiruwo organisations

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Foreign Employment and Welfare Ministry plans to recruit 1,182 graduates to coordinate and monitor the work of ‘ Rataviruwo’ organizations, being established under every District Secretariat to assist migrant workers and their families.

Ministry Secretary, Nissanka Wijeratne at the inaugural meeting of the Colombo District Committee of the ‘Rataviruwo’ organization said that plans were afoot to recruit 1,182 graduates to serve the organization offices in every DS division.

He said three graduates will be recruited to every DS division to monitor and coordinate the work of ‘Rataviruwo’ organisations which comes under the division's jurisdiction.

The Secretary said one fourth of Sri Lankan’s depend on the earnings by migrant workers if the 1.6 million Sri Lankan’s who work outside the country and their family members are taken into account.

Also when it comes to Sri Lanka’s foreign revenue, migrant workers contribute more than 25 per cent annually, he pointed out.

The Secretary said the government has given high priority to migrant workers and their families’ well-being and the establishment of Rataviruwo organizations was one such effort to help them.

The organization will promote community health, education, livelihood programmes, cottage industries etc. among migrant worker families.

It will also look into all matters concerning migrant workers and their families whilst coordinating with other authorities to resolve their issues and help when needed.

The Rataviruwo organization is a concept of the Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera.

At present, the Sri Lanka Bureau of foreign Employment (SLBFE) and the Ministry is carrying out the task of establishing the organization in all corners of the country.

It is to be developed as a people's movement involving state authorities, migrant workers and their families, among others. The aim is to bring in positive changes in the economic and social levels of migrant workers and their families.

According to SLBFE Chairman Senalankadikara the organization will be developed as a grassroots movement which will help migrant workers and their families at rediscovering their ability to influence their own destinies.

It is estimated that over 1.7 million Sri Lankans work outside the country. They have remitted more than US $ 5 Billion in 2011. The contribution made by Sri Lankan Migrant Labour Force has exceeded the income received from traditional export income generating sectors such as tea, coconut, rubber, gem and garments.