SRI LANKA - MIGRATION IN 1998

Foreign employment agencies registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Board (SLFEB) have found employment for nearly 150,000 Sri Lankans in 1997 in the Middle East — nearly 80 percent are housemaids. For 1998, the Bureau targets to place 180,000 in the Middle East. Singapore, Malaysian and Brunei are also emerging as possible markets for Lankan maids. Several initiatives to facilitate or promote foreign employment were launched in 1998: the launching of training programs for hotel workers, the opening of the first foreign employment extension center at Moneragala in December

Protective measures for migrant women workers were implemented in 1998. From 5 November, departing women workers must show SLFEB endorsement in their passport otherwise they will not be issued tickets nor allowed to leave. Still, observers comment that SLFEB has to do more and needs more legal clout to go after unscrupulous agents.

New programs to benefit migrant workers have also been launched. SLFEB and the People’s Bank joined forces to offer two types of loan schemes to migrant workers. A research project was also launched by the SLFEB to examine the problems confronting the families of women migrant workers. Part of the project would involve identifying local resources to promote gainful employment for migrant families.