|
|
|
| Sunday, 31 July 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Seeking greener pastures, she is now disabled.... : Bitter memories by Nisansala R. Aryachandra Fathima Rinusha is a young woman from Kurunegala who left for employment to Saudi Arabia. Members of her family had high hopes for a better life. A sub-agent in Panagamuwa arranged her a job as a housemaid. She left for Saudi Arabia in 2000.
"Her stay in Saudi Arabia was limited to a week. Her agent in Saudi Arabia sent her to Egypt with a visa for six months. Her master in Egypt was a physician. Her workload in the house was heavy, but the wages promised were not paid. She was not allowed to communicate with her family in Sri Lanka. She was virtually a prisoner. After 11 months, Fathima was able to send a letter to her family. It took that long for her family to know that she was working in Egypt... Later, with the intervention of Sahana Foundation, Fathima returned to Sri Lanka as a disabled person. On her return, she was admitted to the Colombo General Hospital as she was unconscious due to a serious head injury inflicted by a bottle of coca cola." It is pathetic that many women and men who have left their motherland for foreign employment undergo even more severe and critical situations than Fathima, which often result in unexpected deaths that are conveniently categorised as natural. Among these are suicides, homicides and accidents. In Sri Lanka, the migrant work-force is the largest foreign exchange earner. In this category, Sri Lankan housemaids play a pivotal role. However, until 2003, the protection for these innocent women has been a matter of concern except in the case of a handful of private institutions. With the ratification of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families by the Sri Lankan Government, which came into force on July 1, 2003, migrant workers were given the assurance of their safety and guarantee for their well being from the Government. Unfortunately, according to the Action Network for Migration Workers (ACTFORM), the Government has not taken steps to implement the provisions of the Convention. Whether it is the fault of the Government or the inaccessibility of the Provisions of the Convention to educate the target group of their rights so that they are able to make an informed decision, still stands vague. A research carried out by the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS), emphasises on the failure of the Government to carry forth proper investigations into hundreds of deaths that have taken place. as revealed by statistics maintained by the Katunayake International Airport and the Sri Lankan Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB). A WSWS report unravels: "Most cases are simply categorised as natural deaths. However, friends and relatives concerned about the fate of their loved ones accuse the Government and the FEB of accepting without question the reasons given by employers or the authorities in countries where they were employed." "The Sri Lankan Government has every reason for wanting to cover up these deaths. It does not want to disrupt what is one of the country's largest foreign exchange earner", it further states: "...the FEB explained, only suspicious cases are investigated. Even the request of family members is not enough - the FEB must be satisfied that the cases warrant an inquiry. He (name of officer withheld) promised to provide access to some of the investigation reports. But the next day, FEB officials acting on instructions, refused, saying the details were very sensitive." When contacted, a senior official of the FEB explained their side: "It is not completely our responsibility. We have only a few officers dealing with this issue. FEB is not the place where all these investigations are carried out. Yes, we do probe into these cases, but mostly when necessary, otherwise we direct it to the respective police stations, because it is really their duty." The statement further elaborated: "Our job is to direct our labour officers and welfare officers in missions to inquire into complaints of cases in middle eastern countries. However, these countries have different legal environments. Our officers face difficult situations in those countries in carrying out investigations. As a matter of fact, we have organised with the International Migration Organisation, to open a branch office in Kuwait to handle all Human Rights cases in the Arab states. It will be opened soon." The Government too has intervened and sought solutions for the unfortunate situations that the migrant workers undergo. Recently, the Labour Ministry has declared that all (registered) Foreign Recruiting Agencies adhere strictly to the Ministry directive that says Lankan housemaids should not be sent for employment in middle eastern countries, unless the monthly salary exceeds Rs. 15,000 a month. It may seem that the Government and responsible authorities have taken a step towards securing better opportunities and the protection of migrant workers. What seems apparently clear is that making available useful information and the Provisions of the Convention that enlightens the migrant worker about their rights, should be a continuous process. Education is, as in so many other issues, the answer in this regard too, and the unfailing support of the Government to safeguard the lives and rights of a special sector in our community who contribute immensely towards national development. There is an organisation that serves this sector of the community called the Action Network for Migrant Workers (ACTFORM), which will help you with important information. The contact details are: Tel - 2805127, 805579, Fax - 2805580, Email - [email protected], Address - 20/1, 8th Lane, Nawala.
**** About the Convention The Convention seeks to play a role in preventing and eliminating the exploitation of migrant workers throughout the entire migration process. In particular, it seeks to put an end to the illegal or clandestine recruitment and trafficking of migrant workers and to discourage the employment of migrant workers in an irregular or undocumented situation. It provides a set of binding international standards to address the treatment, welfare and human rights of both documented and undocumented migrants, as well as the obligations and responsibilities on the part of sending and receiving States. Persons who qualify as migrant workers under the provisions of the Convention are entitled to enjoy their human rights regardless of their legal status. The Convention reflects an up-to-date understanding of migratory trends as seen from the point of view of both States of origin and host States of migrant workers and their family. The Convention breaks new ground in defining those rights which apply to certain categories of migrant workers and their families, including 'frontier workers','seasonal workers', 'seafarers', 'offshore workers', 'itinerant workers', 'specific project migrants' and 'self employed workers'. Courtesy : ACTFORM |
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
Fathima's story is similar to the thousands of women who have sought
employment in foreign lands, hoping for better lives for themselves and
their families. 
