‘Migration Resource Centre’ set up for the benefit of migrant workers IN SRILANKA..!!!

‘Migration Resource Centre’ set up for the benefit of migrant workers
August 24, 2011, 10:48 pm


By Jayantha de Silva


All foreign employment agencies would come under a rating system similar to the prevalent system for luxury star class hotels, Minister of Foreign Employment Dilan Perera said on Tuesday.


He was speaking at the launch of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau’s newest facility named ‘Migration Resource Centre’ at the SLFEB where a 24-hour hot line enables all migrant workers to contact resource personnel for any purpose or access any information they may require.


The occasion was attended by a large gathering of foreign employment agents.


During a recent tour to Malaysia he found that certain employment agencies were resorting to unethical practices. Steps would be taken to suspend the license of those unscrupulous agencies after giving them a time frame to rectify their short comings, he said.


A fourth of the employment agencies were found to be corrupt, the Minister said.


He said that the current emphasis is on training trainees for the Malaysian job market.


He described the newly inaugurated facility as the ‘e ombudsman’ which empowers those Sri Lankans who had gone to the desert (Velikathara) to share their grievances with those from their motherland.


He expressed optimism that the facility would surpass the government information centre which acts in a similar capacity.


Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunge said that the remittance earned last year from migrant workers amounted to US$ 4.1 Billion.


Outlining the importance of migrant workers for the country’s coffers, he said, that they toiled under difficult conditions and the launch of the facility was in line with the Mahinda Chintana concept for the development of the worker.


He urged that the issues of these workers accessed via this facility be speedily redressed.


Chairman of the SLFEB Kingsley Ranawaka said that the 7,000 complaints received per year had been reduced to 3,000.


He said that welfare centres for the benefit of migrant families would also be set up.


The Resource Centre became a reality as a result of SLFEB’s endeavour to reach the people. It will be functioning 24 hours all 7 days a week.


Richard Danziger Chief de Mission International Organisation for Migrants said that Sri Lanka was the 5th country to have established a Migration Resource Centre. The European Union had financially assisted the venture which is a great benefit to people of Sri Lanka.


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