More powers to SLFEB to tackle errant agents

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) has proposed a series of amendments to the Foreign Employment Act (FEA) which will enable the Bureau to take more stringent measures against illegal foreign employment agents.

The number of illegal foreign employment agents operating in the country have increased over the years and there are no proper mechanisms to monitor such agents and take them to task.

Chairman, SLFEB, Kingsley Ranawaka said amendments to the Act will be completed and submitted for Ministry approval within the next two months.

He said the number of raids carried out this year had increased considerably compared to last year which has helped to improve the standard of services offered to those seeking overseas employment.

Over 100 raids were carried out islandwide this year by the Special Investigation Division of the SLFEB which is focusing on bringing to book, agents operating without licence.

Ranawaka said a large number of bogus migrant and educational centres are operating in the country and are thriving carrying on a lucrative business with attractive advertisements. Foreign employment seekers are taken for a ride by bogus job agents who charge exorbitant rates while getting a commission from employers overseas.

"Often migrant workers are left high and dry in a strange land with false promises and made to return losing large sums of money and shattered hopes", Ranawaka said.

The SLFEB will set up regional centres in the Northern and Eastern provinces this year with centres opened in Baticaloa, Vavuniya and Jaffna. The services of the GAs and Field Officers will be obtained to set up these centres.

Ranawaka said the Bureau is focusing on regulating the job market rather than venturing into new markets. Overseas employment opportunities have been curtailed due to the slow down of the global economy.

Ranawaka said there is no major impact of the global crisis on Sri Lankan migrant workers except for a few returnees from the Middle East.

"The SLFEB's turnover last year was Rs. 524 million, the highest achieved so far and profits this year is expected to exceed last year's", the Bureau Chief said.