Cabinet approves removal of mandatory family background report for female migrant workers 

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved removing the mandatory requirement of family background reports for females to take up overseas employment.

Previously, it was a compulsory requirement to submit a family background report for females who have children over the age of two years or more when leaving for domestic work overseas.

“Several international reports published about the protection of women’s rights decided to forgo the requirement since some individuals who do not possess qualifications to submit such reports, tend to leave for overseas employment by illegal means without any supervision and encounter numerous issues,” a statement comprising weekly Cabinet Decisions issued by the Government Information Department noted.

It also pointed out that international reports have raised concerns on having such compulsory requirements would have an impact on women’s rights, to confirm that the children of the female migrant who leave for domestic work abroad are not less than five years of age.

“In some instances, individuals face inconveniences because of the delay in the necessary reports being submitted mainly due to actions of certain officers even though all qualifications are fulfilled,” the statement added.

The proposal to this effect tabled by Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday.