Relief measures to offset ban on women migrant workers

By Chamitha Kuruppu

The government is working out a special plan to provide alternative income avenues for would-be women migrant workers to keep their house fires burning, following its recent Cabinet decision to ban foreign employment for mothers with young children.

Child Development and Women Empowerment Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena yesterday told the Sunday Observer that her Ministry along with other relevant ministries are currently formulating a special program to identify and address the needs of aspiring women migrant workers with young children who are affected by the ban.

"We are willing to provide financial and vocational assistance to these women. A number of similar programs are being carried out by the Ministry of Women Empowerment", Jayasena pointed out. She said that a considerable number of Ministries have special programs to assist women with financial difficulties. "These women could easily engage in self employment which will enable them earn twice the money what they would be paid abroad."

The Cabinet recently approved a proposal by the Minister for Child Development and Women's Empowerment that would ban women with children under 5 years of age, from going abroad for employment.

The memorandum submitted by the Minister said that very often, the mothers who have small children migrate without making proper arrangements with regard to their children and their welfare; children are left with fathers or with relatives. There have been instances when accidents, even death, caused to the children due to insecure conditions when fathers engaged are in their occupation.