Allow mothers to go or not?

Foreign Employment Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, when interviewed by the Sunday observer on the Government's move to prevent mothers with children under five years from going overseas for employment, elucidated reasons behind the decision.

This should be appreciated taking into consideration several factors like the problems faced by children in several families today.

The Minister was of the view that children must be kept under supervision of their mothers until they reach a certain age.

Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), General Manager H. Batagoda said a Cabinet paper in this regard has been tabled, but not passed yet by the Parliament. "Therefore the SLBFE is still not bound to stop mothers who have young children from going abroad"

While welcoming this decision of the government, Batagoda said " However in future, if the husband or children makes a complaint and make a plea to stop his wife from going abroad, the Bureau will step in and take a decision on that."

Shirani Liyanage of Chilaw supported the Government's decision and explained that children could never be brought up properly without the mother.

"I thank the Minister or whoever brought about this idea and therefore appeal to the Government to make it legal", she said.

Inoka Damayanthi of Polgahawela said her mother is employed in Bahrain as a housemaid for the past two years.

"I remember when we were very small my mother worked in another country for five years and during that period we had to face untold hardships although she sent us money regularly".

She quite welcomed the Government's decision, considering the plight of children when their mothers are away.

A mother of two, Shanthi Fernando of Colombo said she was in Kuwait for three years during the years 1984 - 1986 and returned to look after her two children.

"Now my children have grown up and I don't feel like going back. However, I welcome the Government's decision, based on my own experience.

She pointed out that in India, foreign jobs for mothers were completely banned, but the Government helps children under five years to offset any handicap by providing financial assistance.

D.G. Premadasa said his daughter went to Bahrain leaving her two small children under their custody.

"But now the children seem to feel lonely and ask for their mother, but she is reluctant to come back because of financial problems at home.

He welcomed the Government's move as it will be helpful to prevent mothers going for foreign jobs in future."

A mother of three children, Sumithra Priyangani of Kurunegala welcomed the Government's decision but that they go mainly for financial reasons in their families.

"Therefore I request the SLBFE authorities and the Minister to implement a scheme to help as such mothers financially like our neighbour, India to overcome financial constraints.

A retired Post Master Jorge Lawrence of Wellawatta is against the Government's decision.

"If so, the Government must support the families financially, and I also request the authorities to mind their own business and let the individuals find jobs anywhere in the world, because it is their fundamental rights".

He also asked why this ban is not applicable for other women job seekers on other fields like doctors, lawyers and wives of politicians.

"I think the authorities are scared of educated and the affluent, because, they will go straight to the Human Rights Commission."

A father of two, Srilal Samaratunga of Nugegoda fully endorsed the Government's decision.

"Although we have sufficient means, my wife found a job at a mercantile bank in Bahrain two years ago. We I was too pleased and now I am looking after my two grown up daughters".

He wants the authorities to ban women who have children, seeking foreign jobs. Jagath Saparamadu of Avissawella said in some instances the daughters find it difficult to discuss certain delicate problems with the father. "Therefore, I appeal to the Government not to allow mothers of not only children under five, but also children between the ages of 10 to 18.

Priyadharshani Satharasinghe of Panadura said "As a mother of three school going children I welcome this decision, but on the other hand we also must think of their personal matters especially their financial problems".

"If they have enough means they need not go. So, I propose to the Government to grant financial assistance to every child under five year like in other countries". A retired banker T. L. Paranawithana said "Government's decision is good, but what about the alternatives suggested by authorities to solve the problem of how to keep their home fires burning?

"Therefore I propose to the Government all mothers with children under five should be given bank loans to start self employment projects."

A principal of a leading girl's school, Kanthi Pushpamala said

"I welcome the decision taken by the Government, but the Government also must help out the mothers, with at least a monthly financial grant to purchase medicines and milk foods."

Kevin Bakmeewewa of Peradeniya said "I saw in a TV program where a Minister while announcing the Act in this regard which is going to be passed by the Parliament soon, the Government would also provide mothers with financial assistance to start self employment projects.

"I cannot totally believe his statement, because it will be just like granting loans to the poor through Samurdhi banks".

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