Spotlight on problems of 1.7 m Sri Lankan workers in ME

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Ministry will highlight all unresolved employment related problems and social issues of over 1.7 million Sri Lankan migrant workers, in the Middle East at a three day international forum today in Amman, Jordan.

The Sri Lankan delegation is led by Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera, while Chairman, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Amal Senadilankara will make a special statement on the official and social problems faced by Sri Lankan migrant workers in foreign countries.

Officials from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Migrants' Organisation (IMO) will make representations at the Forum.

At least 20 ambassadors will also attend the forum.

Minister Dilan Perera told the Sunday Observer prior to his departure to Jordan that he, hoped to highlight all important employment matters including job security, salaries and medical insurance of Sri Lankan workers at the forum to resolve them.

He said Sri Lankan workers face various social problems at their workplaces and this often resulted in them quitting their jobs or seeking other jobs or else return to Sri Lanka unexpectedly before their contract period expires.

He said the Sri Lankan delegation will also get an opportunity to study various employment and social problems that are highlighted by Ambassadors and labour officials of other countries providing employment.