Children of a lesser god

These workers are not children of a lesser god. They are Sri Lankans who have had no opportunities in their country to raise themselves up. On their own, having paid large commissions to employment agencies, they are trying to move forward by working in foreign countries

One of the realities, preferably glossed over, but due to its sheer scope and fundamental importance to the country’s economy, unavoidable, is surely the large and complex story of our exported labour; mostly blue collar, mainly to the Middle Eastern countries. 

Every year domestic helps, minor staff at hotels, road workers, drivers, clerical and bank employees go in their thousands, to a hot and arid land, in search of a better pay and hopefully a better life. Sometimes, especially in the lower wage categories, their earnings in the Arab countries are only marginally more than what could be obtained here. 

Considering the various adjustments the immigrant has to make in his personal life before leaving, hardly worth the effort one might think. But it is the going away, the escape from the stultification the home country represents, that matters.

Strangely, we are also a country that is talking of importing labour, said to be crucially short in certain sectors, particularly construction. Like many things in Sri Lanka, a discrepancy, awaiting adjustment perhaps. However, that is not the only question arising here. An economy dependent on providing low skill labour to other developing economies cannot be considered long-term healthy. 

Apart from the humbleness of that vision, the scheme is essentially uncertain and unpredictable, based very much on the imperatives of the recipient countries. There are a number of credible researches on the social as well as psychological ill effects on the immigrants from this mindless export of cheap labour.

Apparent difference

There is no better place than the Katunayake Airport to observe the throng of the eager immigrant workers. This is the one exit point from which almost the entirety of the Sri Lankan diaspora begin their hopeful journey; for a better life, a better education, a meaningful income. Before long, the difference between the average traveller and the Middle-East bound worker becomes apparent. 

Air travel imposes a certain discipline, very different to a commute in a local bus. From the requisite documentation, adherence to a strict schedule, luggage allowance, personal deportment to even the dress there are rules and expectations. By and large it seems that these are lost on or only honoured in the breach by most of them, consequently inviting rude reactions from the harassed airport staff while the other passengers stoically ignore them. Travel documents with deficiencies, overweight luggage heedlessly pushed through the crowd, shrilly voices and uncontrolled laughter a few decimals too loud to be decorous; a picture of pathos. 

We boast about a high level of literacy. How then do we explain this sorry scene at the airport? Education is not just elementary reading and writing. Its aim is to produce a well-rounded personality; self-actuated, socially conscious, engaged in a livelihood with dignity. 

A woman may go to the Middle East to provide services as a housemaid. That is dignified labour. If properly trained, she ought to have a better idea of household hygiene than her employer. To be effective she should also have a good knowledge of modern kitchen utensils and an above average idea of housekeeping. If lacking in her own area of service, before long the attitude of the employer is bound to change to one of contempt. 

It is the same with a driver, again a service which is important to the employer and one that carries serious responsibilities. The ability to drive, which is basic, is not the only consideration when he is retained. A sure grasp of road rules, considerate and well-mannered driving and a sound mechanical knowledge would go to make him a complete driver. 

Dignity of labour

In today’s global labour markets these positions are not to be looked at as a mere offering of employment to a person of lowly social or economic stature, an offer he will not refuse regardless of work conditions. These are valued occupations, with laws and rules. Those who provide these services are not some pitiable creatures, with little self-esteem, adults only in terms of years.

Now we come to a realisation. The culture of the country they come from does not accord any dignity to labour, these are functions that are looked down on, and to be done only by the humble. On the other hand, only those who sit behind a desk, are seen to pore over ‘files’, carry books in their briefcases are to be respected. The briefcase will be carried from the car to the office by a peon! The ‘labour’ of carrying even such personal items is below the dignity of the white collar worker.

By definition diminished, the worker descends to a permanent state of grovelling, immature and socially irresponsible. The ‘immaturity’ of the immigrant labour manifests itself in different ways; when on a rare occasion he becomes a service receiver displaying an extreme touchiness on being overlooked, insisting on a ‘full service’.

An air hostess once told me that she was found fault with by some immigrant workers for not serving them something that was given to a passenger on a front seat. She had given that passenger a Panadol as he had complained of a headache! Naturally, the sector between Colombo and Middle Eastern destinations is not the most popular among the airline crews.

Necessary training

If the claims about our educational standards are true, we should not be supplying low-skill labour to countries. But since that is obviously a myth, and we are a large-scale exporter of immigrant workers, it is vital that we provide them with the necessary training before departure, not only on their core skills, but also the soft skills, including the inculcating of a sense of self-worth and dignity. 

Part of the training should include aspects such as conduct at airports, eating in public places, use of toilets, personal habits, spitting, noise pollution, etc. They must be given a basic understanding on subjects such as banking procedures, laws and culture of the country of employment, and the functions of our consular offices there.

These workers are not children of a lesser god. They are Sri Lankans who have had no opportunities in their country to raise themselves up. On their own, having paid large commissions to employment agencies, they are trying to move forward by working in foreign countries. But we should add value here and not send them as they are, raw and unsophisticated, to be treated with contempt by another culture. It is vital that we upgrade them and raise them up.

But the prevailing attitude of the governments seem to be that as long as they continue to send back the dollars they earn, all’s well; they may as well be children of a lesser god.