Monday, 29 July 2013 00:00
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UNDER fire after the death of Rizana Rafeek and worsening conditions for Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East, the Government plans to introduce fresh regulations that aim to prevent underage or unqualified people from seeking employment. However, recruiting agents are up in arms over the move, insisting that the Sri Lanka’s most lucrative foreign exchange earner will hit the rocks thanks to fresh red tape.
According to reports from the start of this month, female domestic workers will have to pass an exam conducted by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) known as the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ3) if they are to qualify for employment in any of the Gulf countries. Recruiters argue that since those who fail this exam will not be able to take up employment in the domestic sector in West Asia, the exam could lead to a huge drop in recruitment.
Another issue raising confrontation is regarding complaints made by a domestic worker. Under this regulation, the recruiting agent will be required to visit the complainant’s residence and attend the inquiry. Recruiters believe that such a move could result in irate families or villagers attacking their colleagues and insist that the Bureau is not taking this point into account. Though to be frank, it could promote accountability and make recruiters screen employment offers in a more through manner.
This is especially relevant when considering that at the moment, as many as 14,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers have appealed for the amnesty offered by the Saudi Arabian government. In fact, so many are the applicants that the amnesty period was extended to November earlier this month. Many of the people hoping to return home have found complications in their employee contracts, which show a distinct need for recruiters to claim more responsibilities for the people that they send out.
In addition, the complaint should also be settled within two days or else, approval for further recruitment of workers for this particular agent will be suspended with no questions asked. However, the SLFEB has agreed to take another look at this demand.
Another new regulation demands a domestic worker will also have to fill a form and get it endorsed by the Grama Sevaka and the regional Provincial Council, before proceeding for foreign employment. Once this is done, two officials from the SLFEB will visit the residence of the job seeker and check details such as children’s welfare, the spouse and other next-of-kin, and also gather information from neighbours, before granting approval.
On the surface, this seems like a sound policy. However, things being what they are in Sri Lanka, this could lead to delays and chances for corruption with officials demanding bribes before approving applications. Moreover, residential visits around the country will call for resources within the SLFEB to be streamlined and used at an optimum level. If the SLFEB falls behind on its evaluations, then the entire set of checks and balances will be made redundant.
Without a clear legal framework being ironed out, migrant workers run the risk of being victimised multiple times, not only by their foreign workers and regulations, but by the policymakers, recruiters and diplomats of their own country who pay scant attention to their requirements. Hopefully, these regulations will be the first step to protecting Sri Lanka’s real heroes.
