'Housemaids have no barriers'

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) refuted various statements made by several parties on the loss of job opportunities for Lankan housemaids in Saudi Arabia and assured that our housemaids have no barriers to seek employment in any part of the world until an official announcement is made by the Sri Lankan Government.

According to unofficial reports, Saudi Arabian National Recruitment Committee (SANRC) has decided to stop recruiting Sri Lankan housemaids until the Lankan Government implements the regulations mentioned in the MOU signed with the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agency (ALFEA) two months ago.

According to the MOU, the SNARC needs to reduce recruitment charges from Saudi Riyals 8500 to SR 5500 when sending Lankan housemaids to that country.

SLBFE, Chairman Kingsly Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer that since the Bureau has not been informed any matter pertaining to the MOU signed between the SANRC and the ALFEA, Sri Lankan housemaids have no barriers to seek employment in that country.

Ranawaka also said that any Lankan worker could seek employment in any part of the world following employment agreements officially signed between the two countries.

"Therefore, I believe the Saudi Arabian Government will never take such a decision due to the longstanding diplomatic and cultural links existing between the two countries," he added.