Safe and beneficial labour migration first; GDP secondary, says minister
Launches ‘national’ media campaign, but minister under-emphasises print media's role
BY SANATH NANAYAKKARE-January 29, 2019, 8:37 pm
Unskilled migrant workers remain particularly vulnerable to employment-related abuse and exploitation, so I'm not too worried about the labour migration numbers which have declined somewhat in the past, and let me remind you that the current regulatory framework governing national labour migration is either solely or partly responsible for the downward trend, Harin Fernando, Minister of Telecommunication, Foreign Employment and Sport said on Monday in response to a query posed by The Island Financial Review.
The minister said so at the launch of 'National Media Campaign' on Safe Labour Migration to ensure the most secure approach for Sri Lankan migrants to get employed overseas, particularly concerning low-skilled jobs.
A preview of the media campaign was shown to the audience at the Sports Ministry Auditorium in Colombo after which the minister said, "The production team have done a great job and I'm in love with the planned radio, TV and social media campaign". Nevertheless, the minister had conveniently forgotten the pivotal role the print media still plays in influencing its wide and stable readership across the country to make informed decisions.
The National Media Campaign on Safe Labour Migration is implemented in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka.
The campaign aims to encourage all citizens to make informed decisions and follow correct procedures for foreign employment by seeking proper guidance through reliable sources; the 1989 hotline, SLBFE Offices and Development Officers of Foreign Employment based at every Divisional Secretariat and District Secretariat office.
"Lack of access to reliable information for migrant workers and their families has been identified as a major problem that prevents Sri Lankans from making informed decisions when it comes to foreign employment. The absence of easily accessible and reliable sources of information, which could promote better decision-making on migration for employment, causes a great deal of personal and social problems for workers and their families. A large number of citizens, especially in the low-skilled category, choose to migrate without due consideration of its adverse implications, for the sake of personal and family interests. Such actions often leave them vulnerable to exploitation of their rights as well as those of their families," Harin Fernando said.
The campaign will build awareness about getting correct information that will guide prospective migrant workers. It also emphasizes the necessity of registering with the SLBFE prior to departing. In addition, the sources provide advice and facilities to help them build a secure and successful future in the country of their choice, such as information on vocational skills as the improvement of skills and qualifications will improve job prospects, income earning potential, and working conditions, and long-term investment plans," he said.
Hanspeter Mock, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and senior officials of the respective organizations including the ILO took part in the event.
"We hope this media campaign will help mitigate situations where misinformed Sri Lankan citizens find themselves in unfortunate circumstances in foreign lands", Swiss Ambassador said.
Approximately 2 million Sri Lankans are currently working overseas, representing nearly 10% of the total population of the country. The majority of migrant workers are low-skilled construction and domestic workers working in the Gulf countries, who are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Foreign remittances, primarily from migrant workers, continue to be the largest source of foreign exchange earnings for Sri Lanka, contributing 8.5% to the country's GDP.
