Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Arun Hemachandra has called for stronger social protection, safe migration pathways and greater economic security for Sri Lankan migrant workers.
He made the remarks while opening the ILO STREAM Introductory Training on “Protecting Those Who Move: Advancing Social Protection in the South Asia–Gulf Migration Corridor” at The Kingsbury in Colombo today.
The programme brings together representatives from countries of origin and destination to strengthen cooperation on the protection and social security of migrant workers.
Addressing the gathering, Hemachandra stressed that migration should be a pathway to opportunity rather than vulnerability, with protection provided throughout the entire migration process — from preparation and recruitment to employment, social security, return and reintegration.
He highlighted several measures taken over the past two years, including increasing death compensation for eligible registered migrant workers to Rs. 2 million, advancing work on a contributory pension scheme and preparing a new Foreign Employment Bill. Work is also underway to establish a mechanism enabling Sri Lankans living overseas to exercise their voting rights.
The Acting Minister also highlighted the role of digitalisation in improving migrant-worker services. He noted that LankaKonect, introduced through a partnership between the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), allows migrant workers overseas to submit complaints, track cases and access government support more directly.
He stressed that Sri Lanka’s foreign employment policy should focus not only on increasing the number of workers going abroad, but also on skills development, better employment opportunities, safe and regular migration, stronger worker protection and long-term economic security for workers and their families.
Hemachandra further called for closer cooperation between countries of origin and destination, particularly on social security, recruitment regulation, family protection and reintegration.
Recognising the contribution of Sri Lankan migrant workers to the country and their families, he reaffirmed the importance of placing their rights, dignity and security at the centre of Sri Lanka’s foreign employment policy.
He also expressed appreciation to the ILO, the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, the STREAM Programme team and development partners for their continued support in strengthening the protection and social security of migrant workers.
