IOM launches Japan-funded Centre for Handloom Production and Training for returnee migrant workers

The Government of Japan, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment, recently launched a handloom production centre with funding support from the Government of Japan, in Puthukudurippu Arayampathy Divisional Secretariat of the Batticaloa District. 

It was under the project “Supporting the socioeconomic reintegration of Sri Lankan migrant workers repatriated due to the COVID-19 outbreak” and is aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of migrant returnees and host communities.

To overcome the socio-economic impact of the pandemic and build back better, a more migrant-inclusive sustainable reintegration response is essential to ensure that returnees recover from the impact of COVID-19 as well as optimise their contribution to Sri Lanka by engaging in a sustainable income generation activity. Attending the inauguration, the Japanese Embassy’s Kaori Imai said on behalf of Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki that she was pleased to see that Japan’s assistance can be of help to the people in Batticaloa in gaining new skills and improving their lives, encouraging entrepreneurship and local industry. IOM Sri Lanka and Maldives Deputy Chief of Mission Andrew Gray referred to IOM’s

 “interest and capacity to support Sri Lanka’s strategic vision on labour and migration management” and added that “IOM and partners will continue to work side by side to ensure that returnees reach levels of economic self-sufficiency, social stability within their communities, and psychosocial wellbeing that allow them to cope with (re)migration drivers.”

Also, in attendance at the inaugural launch in Batticaloa were Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment Additional Secretary Yamuna Perera, and Batticaloa Additional District Secretary Sutharshini Srikanth.

The establishment of the handloom production centre is part of the 22 livelihood and infrastructure development projects planned across nine districts in Sri Lanka contributing to the ‘National COVID-19 Response Plan for Migrant Workers,’ developed by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment with technical support from IOM and ILO. The project aims to reduce further vulnerability of migrant returnees by supporting them to sustainably reintegrate to their communities through livelihood support, entrepreneurship, and skills development activities.