Thursday, 29 May 2014 00:00
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The Government must boost the efforts it has made in recent years in order to prevent exploitation and abuse of Sri Lankans migrating abroad for work during the recruitment stage, while in service in the destination country, and upon return to the country, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants François Crépeau has urged, following his evaluation visit to the country.
Crépeau also called for better monitoring of the recruitment industry through putting in place a comprehensive policy with high standards, improving recruitment agencies’ services and holding them accountable, regulating irregular sub-agents, and reducing costs for migrants.
Over the years a large recruitment industry has developed in Sri Lanka. Approximately 1.8 million Sri Lankans are working abroad, with great social consequences for migrants and their families. Remittances have become the key foreign exchange earning source in the country, and a source of economic development and dependency for nearly a third of the population.
Not only are recruitment processes inadequate, many migrants also report paying excessive recruitment fees, as well as human rights violations in the workplace, including serious abuse and exploitation, the UN official has found, pointing to serious lapses in regulation. The Special Rapporteur noted that, despite recent initiatives, Sri Lankan authorities are often not able to protect Sri Lankan migrants in the destination states. The UN has recommended cooperation with destination states be enhanced in order to ensure that the rights of Sri Lankans are respected during the whole migration process.
The majority of Sri Lankan women migrate to work as domestic workers, although the proportion of domestic workers is decreasing. Due to the financial incentives provided, some of these women are sent abroad by their husbands or family members, who expect them to send their salaries back home.
Instead the UN has called on the authorities to create income-generating opportunities in Sri Lanka, especially for women, youth and minorities, including in rural areas, in order to ensure that migration is a choice, rather than a necessity.
The Special Rapporteur drew attention to specific age limits applied to women who wish to migrate as domestic workers, depending on the destination state, as well as restrictions applied to mothers with children under five. Crépeau has also called for better welfare services and consular assistance provided to Sri Lankan migrants in destination states, in order to ensure that diplomatic missions are properly staffed, and that staff is properly trained to deal with all issues faced by migrant workers. An aspect that has been sadly lacking.
The expert noted that the Sri Lankan Government has placed particular emphasis on increasing the migration of skilled workers. But the majority of Sri Lankan migrants are still low-skilled, thus more likely to face human rights violations, including harassment and abuse in the work place. While Government programs are commended, they still need enhancement to open up well-paying jobs for local workers. Better negotiation of contracts, policing of agencies, tougher punishments for senders of underage workers, transparency on employment policies, adequate compensation and awareness for potential employees to make better decisions are all on the long list.
Despite tragedies such as Rizana and thousands of Sri Lankans stranded in Saudi Arabia after an amnesty period lapsed, more and more people are seeking employment overseas. They are the main drivers of Sri Lanka’s economy and deserve to be treated and protected to the best of all stakeholder capacity.
