SL urged to stop workers going to countries not protecting migrant rights

The Sri Lankan Government has been asked to refrain from sending migrant workers, including domestic workers, to countries where the legal and institutional framework necessary to guarantee the protection of their rights is not in place.

Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, in his report to the 29th session of the UN Human Rights Council that is to begin on 15 June, welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Sri Lankan authorities to regulate labour migration and protect the rights of its citizens migrating abroad, but noted the need to fully implement a human rights approach in that respect.

“The Special Rapporteur understands the importance of remittances to the Sri Lankan economy but he insists that this should not trump the rights of migrants. It is therefore important to make sure attention is paid to the protection of migrants, not just the promotion of migration,” the report noted.

Crépeau urged the Sri Lankan Government to make the protection of migrants a primary concern for Sri Lankan diplomatic missions in destination states and strengthen the welfare services and consular assistance provided to Sri Lankan migrants in destination states, ensuring that diplomatic missions were adequately staffed and that staff were properly trained to deal with all issues faced by the migrant workers.

“Diplomatic missions in destination states should play a more proactive role in protecting their own nationals against abuse and be properly equipped to provide assistance to Sri Lankans in need,” the report said.

The report suggested having female officers at the diplomatic missions to deal with cases of sexual abuse, providing a local 24/7 hotline free of charge, establishing a roster of competent local lawyers able to help Sri Lankan migrants with legal issues, and conducting frequent visits to migrant detention centres.

The Special Rapporteur, among other things, also urged the Sri Lankan Government to undertake all the necessary steps to prevent the exploitation and abuse of migrants and to protect their rights during the recruitment stage, while they are in service in the destination country and upon their return to Sri Lanka.

The report also recommended enhancing and improving pre-departure training and information in order to promote informed decision-making and enhance the skill levels of prospective migrants, including language skills and general education levels.

The Special Rapporteur’s report to the UNHRC session was based on his visit to Sri Lanka from 19 to 26 May 2014.

During the fact-finding mission, he visited Colombo, Kurunegala, Kandy, Tangalle and Galle, and held consultations with government officials, the United Nations country team, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, diplomats, recruitment agents, trade union representatives, civil society organisations and migrants.

The focus of the visit was labour migration from Sri Lanka and related recruitment practices, and their impact on the human rights of migrants.

The Special Rapporteur also looked into the situation of migrants in Sri Lanka. He noted the need to regulate and monitor the detention of migrants in Sri Lanka and revise constitutional provisions which discriminate against them.