Govt. to review minimum wage for migrant workers amid Middle East concerns

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath 

• Foreign Employment Minister Vijitha Herath tells Parliament Sri Lanka reviewing reintroduction of mandatory minimum wage for migrant workers under 2023-2027 National Policy
• Says policy under review to balance international best practices, economic viability and stakeholder input
• Confirms minimum wage requirement was lifted in 2021; acknowledges wage levels now depend on host countries 
• Notes over 1.3 m Lankans employed in Middle East; effective wage policies could raise remittances to $ 1.5 b annually
• Reveals SLBFE preparing standard wage guidelines for recruitment agencies to prevent undercutting 
• States Sri Lanka has signed bilateral labour agreements with eight Middle Eastern countries to ensure fair wages and contracts
• Asserts SLBFE empowered to investigate, penalise, and repatriate in cases of abuse or wage theft
• Outlines new reforms include digital worker registration, contract attestation, post-arrival surveys and stronger embassy-led dispute resolution

The Government is reviewing the possible reintroduction of minimum wage policy for Sri Lankan migrant workers, particularly in light of growing concerns over worker protection and wage disparities in Middle Eastern countries. 

In a detailed statement to Parliament, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath recently addressed critical issues surrounding the welfare and wages of Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East, where over 1.3 million Sri Lankans are currently employed.

The move comes as officials seek to ensure fair compensation and improved working conditions for overseas employees amid ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainties in the region.

Responding to questions about wage standards and legal protections under Standing Order 27(2), Herath disclosed that the Ministry is reviewing the possibility of reintroducing a mandatory minimum wage policy for migrant workers under the 2023-2027 National Policy and Action Plan on Migration for Employment.

“This review is being conducted with attention to international best practices, economic sustainability, and input from key stakeholders,” he added.

Although no immediate decisions have been made, he confirmed that the policy framework remains under active consideration. He also pointed out that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is developing standard wage guidelines for recruitment agencies to prevent wage undercutting.

With over a million Sri Lankan workers contributing to the Middle Eastern labour force, the Government estimates that effective wage policies could boost annual remittances to at least $ 1.5 billion.

Herath reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to fair and safe migration, asserting that worker welfare, dignity, and equitable treatment remain at the core of the country’s foreign employment strategy.

The Minister confirmed that Sri Lanka no longer enforces a mandatory minimum wage for its overseas workers. “This policy was lifted in September 2021 as part of post-COVID recovery efforts. While this has enabled more flexible employment opportunities abroad, it has raised concerns about wage parity and worker protection,” he pointed out.

He outlined that wage conditions now largely depend on the laws of host countries. “Qatar, for instance, has implemented a minimum wage of 1,800 Qatari Riyals (around $ 494) for all workers, including domestic staff. Kuwait provides a lower minimum wage of around $ 240 per month, while Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) do not currently have legislated minimum wages for foreign workers,” he added.

Reiterating that Sri Lankan workers in Qatar are entitled to the legal minimum, he said the Sri Lankan Embassy in Doha is actively monitoring compliance, working alongside Qatari authorities to resolve wage-related grievances.

To mitigate this risk of underpayment and exploitation, he said that Sri Lanka has signed bilateral labour agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with eight Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and others.

“These agreements aim to enforce standardised employment contracts, ensure fair wages, and provide mechanisms for dispute resolution and legal redress. They are supported by joint committees and diplomatic missions abroad that help oversee compliance and worker welfare,” he explained.

When questioned about wage comparison with workers from other labour-sending countries such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and the Philippines, the Minister said Sri Lanka is engaged in continuous diplomatic efforts to ensure parity. Pre-departure training and contract verification are used to safeguard wage levels, while labour attaches stationed abroad actively monitor employer compliance.

He also said that in cases of wage disparity, Sri Lankan Embassies intervene directly with foreign authorities. Although Philippine domestic workers reportedly earn up to $ 384 per month in Saudi Arabia, Sri Lankan domestic workers often receive around $ 250-350, depending on experience and contractual terms.

Minister Herath acknowledged that Sri Lanka is pushing for better wages through continued diplomatic negotiations, but also emphasised that wage differences may reflect individual skill levels and job performance.

He emphasised that the SLBFE is legally empowered to investigate complaints, penalise recruitment agencies for misconduct, and blacklist foreign employers guilty of contract violations. The SLBFE also provides legal aid and emergency repatriation services for victims of wage theft or abuse.

To improve oversight, he said the Ministry and the SLBFE have implemented a range of measures, including digital worker registration systems, contract attestation processes, and post-arrival surveys. 

“Diplomatic missions, supported by welfare officers, play a frontline role in addressing grievances and mediating disputes. A comprehensive review of recruitment agency operations is also ongoing, with a focus on fair wage guidelines and transparent contracts,” he outlined.