Foreign Employment Bureau to provide relief to Sri Lankan workers overseas

The Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) yesterday said that it has initiated a range of measures to educate and provide relief and protective equipment to Sri Lankan workers overseas who are facing hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issuing a press release via the Department of Information, the FEB stated that they have advised labour officials in 16 Sri Lankan foreign missions to coordinate relief measures to aid Sri Lankans working in their respective host countries. The FEB has directed the officials to use the funds from the ‘workers’ welfare fund’ to provide relief to those in need.

According to the press release, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has directed the FEB to strengthen the welfare fund by adding Rs. 8 million to it. The FEB has been instructed to overlook the legal status of Sri Lankan workers overseas when providing relief.

Labour officials at each mission has been instructed to create WhatsApp groups to disseminate information and provide a 24-hour means of communication to the workers in their respective host countries. The officials have also been instructed to provide protective masks and hand sanitisers to the workers and educate them on the best practices to staying safe and preventing the spread of the virus.

Sri Lankan foreign missions in their respective host countries have begun to supply dry rations to workers in need with the assistance of host governments and other civic groups, the press release said.

Sri Lankan workers overseas can also call the 24-hour hotline at the FEB (1989) to make requests or complaints.