|
|
|
| Sunday, 11 September 2005 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Over Rs. 1000m UN compensation for Kuwait war victims by Ananda Kannangara A record 133 Sri Lankan migrant workers who lost employment due to the Gulf War in 1991 will be compensated by the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) at a request made by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. The recipients will receive cash amounts at a ceremony, scheduled to be held at the Bureau Auditorium, Battaramulla on September 13 (Tuesday). Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Minister Athauda Seneviratne will be the chief guest. It is reported that US $ 1.2 million (equivalent to Rs. 1192 million) has been sent by the UNCC to pay compensation for victims in the war. Speaking to the Sunday Observer SLBFE Chairman Prof. P. B. V. Karunathilaka said that all 388 recipients were the residents of North-East and due to the prevailing situation in that area the victimised workers were unable to furnish their application forms to the UNCC earlier. It is said that at least 92,000 Lankan workers, who were employed in Kuwait lost employment during the time when Iraq forces invaded Kuwait. Most of them were evacuated to safe places and others were airlifted to Sri Lanka on special charter flights, provided by the Sri Lankan Government. The Bureau Chairman also said that more than 75,000 persons have already benefited with UNCC compensation during the past several years. According to the mode of the payment, each worker will receive compensation between the range of Rs. 70,000 and Rs. 400,000 considering the value of their personal belongings such as jewellery, electrical items, clothes etc. An equivalent amount of Rs. 390,000 will also be paid for each worker for losing their jobs. Prof. Karunathilaka further said that the payments of other 255 workers will be made after receiving the details of their national identity cards, work permits and several other documents from the respective Divisional Secretariats in the North and East to verify their authenticity. He said that some applications were also rejected by the UNCC on the grounds that due to lack of evidence to prove that the affected workers had permanently stayed in Kuwait during the war period. It is also reported that 90 percent of Sri Lankans were employed as housemaids in Kuwait during that period. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
