National Labour Migration Policy for Sri Lanka

Abstract

Labour migration in any country brings forth many contentious issues regarding conditions of employment, welfare and societal, arising from migration. Having recognized the importance of having a framework for such issues, the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare have developed the Sri Lanka National Policy on Labour Migration. This policy aims to enhance the effects of labour migration, minimize the negative effects to society and to the families of the workers, and work towards the fulfilment and protection of all human and labour rights of migrant workers. The Sri Lanka Bureau for Foreign Employment set up in 1997, had already laid down a regulatory framework for interested migrants, and in 1997, the Bureau was brought under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare. In spite of the regulations and guidelines set out, the migrant workers face several challenges and hardships, and the policy attempts to balance these challenges with the promotion of foreign employment for the benefit of both the workers and the country. Overall, the national policy aims to promote opportunities for all men and women to engage in migration for decent and productive employment in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Four key areas are considered, namely, the institutional framework, the legislative framework, the regulatory framework and the social dialogue and consultative framework.