More benefits for migrant worker families

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) will launch a massive national health Policy, educational and welfare programs for the benefit of over 1.4 million Sri Lankan migrant workers and their dependents from January next year to coincide with the `International Migrants Day' which falls today (December 18).

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will be the chief guest at today's ceremony at the invitation of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister, Dilan Perera and Chairman, SLBFE, Kinsly Ranawaka.

The ceremony will be held at Galle Face at 8.30 am with the issuing of the ` Dirisariya Commemorative Stamp ' and the first day cover.

A special Electronic Credit Card will also be introduced for the first time for Sri Lankan migrant workers on the occasion.

The objective of conducting the program is to felicitate the family members of Sri Lankan migrant workers and also to encourage Sri Lankan skilled and trained youth to find employment opportunities in foreign countries. The SLBFE expects a large number of dependents of Lankan migrant workers on the occasion.

In addition to the main ceremony in Colombo , ceremonies will also be conducted in all districts including Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala, Kandy and Ratnapura.SLBFE, Chirman, Kinsly Ranawaka said under the proposed National Health Policy, Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families will be entitled to medical services from private and State hospitals.Meanwhile, the schoolchildren of migrant workers will be given school books, educational equipment, sports gear and scholarships for Grade five, GCE (OL) and (AL) students. School leavers of migrant workers will be given vocational training on English and IT to find employment in Sri Lanka or Foreign countries.