Insurance scheme to benefit Lankans in Saudi Arabia

By Ananda Kannangara

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The Government will set up an international insurance company in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Government for the benefit of Sri Lankan domestic workers, employed in Saudi Arabia.

The objective of setting up the insurance company is to encourage Saudi Arabian employers to pay the premium on behalf of each worker.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the `Sunday Observer’ that under the new insurance scheme, no Saudi Arabian employer can avoid paying their annual premium towards the scheme on behalf of the domestic workers, employed under them.

“Such a scheme will also help to minimise numerous employment related problems between the workers and employers,” It is reported that 80 per cent of the 500,000 Sri Lankan domestic workers in the Kingdom are housemaids.

The Minister said that during his recent talks with the Saudi Arabian Labour Minister Ghazi Al-Gosaibi in Riyadh, it was agreed to take stern action against employers who do not pay the salaries stipulated in the employment contract.