Exclusive mobile connection for migrant workers

Rasika Somarathna

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) in partnership with Dialog will introduce an exclusive mobile phone connection with low tariff and other facilities for migrant workers-leaving for jobs in the Middle East tomorrow.

The pre-paid SIM connection, issued free of charge, has been customised for those working in the Gulf and will enable migrant workers to connect with those back home and the countries they work, as soon as they arrive for employment in the relevant country.

An initial free reload will be included to call back Sri Lanka and officials if necessary. Any calls made to the Lankan mission in the relevant country will be free of charge.

Initially the service will be offered to those leaving for jobs in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. It will later expand to include other Middle East countries, SLBFE sources said.

SLBFE chairman Amal Senalankadikara said migrant workers face numerous hardships during the first few weeks in the new country.

“Providing a phone connection will help them to keep in touch with their family in Sri Lanka from day one.

This will help their transition to conditions in a foreign land,” he said.

It will also aid to minimise difficulties faced by migrant workers as the connection will enable easy access to officials in relevant embassies and back home, Senalankadikara said.

The new initiative will be launched

at the SLBFE office in Battaramulla under the patronage of Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera.

Over 1.7 million Sri Lankans work abroad with an annual outflow of around 250,000.

A majority work in the Middle East.