Prof. P.V.B. Karunatilaka

1
ON-SITE SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SRI LANKAN
OVERSEAS WORKERS

• Prof. P.V.B. Karunatilaka
• Chairman
• Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment

2
Types of Labour Migration

• Authorized Migration
• Unauthorized Migration

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Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) Countries
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No. of Sri Lankan workers in GCC countries
5
Gender wise Comparison of contract migratory
workers (Year 2004)
6
Ministry of Labour Relations Foreign Employment
of Sri Lanka

• Involved in policy development and Implementation
  on labour related issues
  
• Coordinates with all institutions involving
  migration
  
• Oversees functions of The Sri Lanka Bureau of
  Foreign Employment (SLBFE)
  

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About SLBFE
A government incorporated body established in
1985.

• ? promotes employment for Sri Lankans
  
  
• in foreign countries
• ? regulates all operations of licenced
• foreign employment agents for better
• services
• ? ensuring welfare and well-being of
• Sri Lankans employed abroad including
• their families
• ? maintains a database on workers overseas

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Common Problems faced by overseas contract workers

• Breach of Contract
• Harassments
• Non Payment of Salaries
• Over-keeping the contract period
• Legal Issues Imprisonment
• Death or Serious Illness
• Illegal Cross-Border Migration

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On-Site Support ServicesOverseas missions,

• Conciliation and mediation over disputes between
  Sri Lankan workers and their Sponsors
  
• Provide welfare assistance to Sri Lankan contract
  workers which includes,
  
• medical and hospital services
• repatriation of distressed Sri Lankan workers
• extending legal services to victimized contract
  workers
  
• custodial services at the Safe Houses in missions

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On-Site Support ServicesContd.Overseas
Missions,

• Provide consular services such as issuing and
  renewal of passports, extending of visas.
  
• Organising cultural and recreational events for
  Sri Lankans.
  
• Conduct mobile services in certain GCC countries.
  
  
• Initiating programmes for Sri Lankan Diaspora to
  help overseas contract workers.

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On-Site Support ServicesContd.

• On-line web based information system for renewal
  of registration of overseas contract workers.
  
• Video conferencing facility for overseas contract
  workers.

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Backup services

• Scholarships and school equipment to children of
  overseas contract workers
  
• Compensation of Insurance
• Host-country based insurance cover
• loans for prospective overseas contract workers
• Special welfare centre for contract workers
  returning in distress
  

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Allocation for Labour Sections in foreign
missions for Support Services in 2004
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