SLBFE seeks international recognition for migrant workers

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has made an application for the ISO 9001 - International Standardisation certificate to obtain international recognition for 1.5 million Sri Lankan migrant workers and others who hope to take up foreign employment in future.

The SLBFE is now engaged in numerous development activities within the organisation branch network to obtain the ISO certificate.

The Sri Lanka Standards Institution is providing assistance to the Bureau in this connection.

Foreign Employment and Promotion Minister Dilan Perera told the Sunday Observer that this was the first time that the Bureau had sought the ISO certificate and it could be obtained only with help of the Bureau employees towards the Sri Lankan labour force in foreign countries.

The ISO 9001 certificate covers all types of organisations-whether they manufacture products or provide services. The ISO (International organisation for standardisation) in Switzerland was set up to develop common international standards in many areas. Minister Perera said that obtaining the ISO certificate would help people who visit the Bureau to seek information on all foreign job related matters. It will also help Sri Lankan workers in foreign countries to resolve their official or personal employment matters.

The ISO certificate will also accord international recognition to Sri Lankan foreign job agencies which send Sri Lankan workers for foreign employment.