Thursday, December 17, 2009

Sri Lankan woman charged with murder in Singapore

A 31-year-old Sri Lankan woman in Singapore was charged on Thursday with the murder of a 32-year-old Indian national.

The dead man, Murugaiyan Selvam, an assembly worker, was found lying motionless, with head injuries, on his bed in a room at Kaki Bukit Crescent on Dec 4.

The woman, Tharmalingan Puwaneswary, who works here as a maid, was arrested by police in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

She was charged with killing Murugaiyan at the Kaki Bukit building between about 11pm on Dec 3 and about 9.15am on Dec 4.

She has been remanded until her case is mentioned in court again on Dec 24.

Anyone convicted of murder faces the mandatory death penalty. (Straits Times)
Daily Mirror

Monday, December 14, 2009

We should not forget Rizana

Island

Early this year it was reported that Kifaya Ifthikar, a social worker, who met Rizana in prison, said the maid looked sick and that the doctors had advised her to undergo surgery for hernia.

Prolonging the anxiety and worry of an innocent, poor house-maid is abominable.

It was indeed heatening a couple of years ago to see the concern for Rizana, a poor girl from Mutur, facing the death penalty in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia . The concern for her was unprecedented. When foreign human rights organizations brought her predicament to light, the government, social organizations and individual Sri Lankans did everything possible to alleviate the suffering of this poor girl.

It was reported that Sri Lankans working in Saudi Arabia even collected money for her. These actions only proved humanness of all Sri Lankans whether they be Sinhalese, Tamils or Muslims. It was a beautiful gesture that underscored communal harmony and fellow feeling.

However, one hardly hears anything about Rizana’s fate. To be suspended in a position between life and death will certainly cause clinical depression or an anxiety disorder which even may result in schizophrenia and possible suicide.

It is in fact the duty of all Sri Lankans human rights organizations and social service outfits to agitate for the release of Rizana. If we remain silent the Saudi regime will surely behead her in public.

The media, human rights organizations, our foreign ministry and all those who were concerned about Rizna’s plight have lost interest in her.

The last heard from Sri Lankan Ambassador Abdul Ajeed Mohammed Marleen now deceased was "that Rizana would have to wait until the case is taken up again. The date for the next hearing is unknown... Some reconciliatory efforts with the deceased infant’s father Al-Otaiba would prevent the maid from languishing in jail for a longer time." He did not elaborate.

Apparently the Foreign Ministry has conveniently closed the file on poor Rizana.

Early this year it was reported that Kifaya Ifthikar, a social worker, who met Rizana in prison, said the maid looked sick and that the doctors had advised her to undergo surgery for hernia.

Prolonging the anxiety and worry of an innocent, poor house-maid is abominable.

Saybhan Samat
Rajagiriya

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Malaysia tells Lankan would be immigrants no to be duped

Foreigners, especially those from Sri Lanka , who were brought into Malaysia illegally with the promise to be sent to other countries, have been urged to be wary of unscrupulous agents.

Malaysian Nanban, quoting Suhakam commissioner Datuk N. Sivasubramaniam, urged these foreigners not to be fooled by such agents, saying that the organisation had received many complaints concerning the matter.

“These refugees, especially Sri Lankans, are brought illegally into this country and promised by the agents that they can seek residence in Australia , Canada and New Zealand but they end up getting stranded here,” he said.

The agents, meanwhile, took all their money, and some even took money from the refugees’ contacts in the other countries, he said.

Sivasubramaniam urged the refugees to contact their respective embassies, Immigra-tion Department or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for update on their status of application. (The Star online)

New envoy assures to look after interests of Lankans in Saudi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Mohammed Rasooldeen

The new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Kingdom said his mission in Riyadh was to serve all Sri Lankans in the Kingdom and look after their interests in Saudi Arabia and promote bilateral relations between the island and the Kingdom.

Ambassador Ahmed Aflel Jawad , who arrived in the Saudi capital last week told the Daily News that his mission is to work for the welfare of the 500,000 Sri Lankan workers in the Kingdom and strengthen the two-way relations between the two countries in trade, political and cultural fields.

Saudi-Lanka ties

* 75 percent of Lanka's exports to Kingdom tea

*Lanka most attractive investment zone in Asia

* Increase in Saudi tourists to Sri Lanka

To serve his countrymen in the Kingdom, Jawad said he will coordinate his activities with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and other related agencies in the Kingdom.

In the field of trade between the two countries, he observed that 75 percent of the island's exports to the Kingdom is tea and the balance include some 15 products from Sri Lanka . The envoy said there are plenty of other non-traditional exports that could find easy access to the Kingdom's market.

He stressed that he would also make all efforts to encourage foreign direct investments from the Kingdom since the island could offer a wide range of opportunities for Saudi investors coming to Sri Lanka .

" Sri Lanka is the most attractive investment zone in Asia ," Jawad said.

"I am happy to note that there is a 101 percent increase among the Saudi tourists to Sri Lanka with the end of the ethnic conflict on May 19", he noted, adding that the hill resorts have become popular destinations among the Saudis visiting the island.

The ambassador inaugurated the Charity Fair organized by the Sri Lankan Expatriates Society in Riyadh Thursday. The proceeds of the fair will be diverted to the Free Medical Clinic managed by the society.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Labour Dept puts online tabs on law violations

Source ::: The Peninsula

Doha: The Ministry of Labour is set to introduce an online system which will enable it to detect any violation of labour law by employers, including the delay in disbursement of salaries.

The Labour Department is also planning to introduce a campaign — Qatar Gate— to create awareness of workers’ rights.

According to the online system, which is proposed to be launched early next year, employers have to enter the details of workers in a specially designed electronic programme.

Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimy, Director of Labor Inspection Department at the Ministry of Labour, told an Arabic daily that the new system will help monitor whether firms are strictly abiding by the Labour Department’s guidelines on the operation of labour camps.

Al Nuaimy said the Labour Department, as part of the Qatar Gate campaign, would open a counter at the airport and distribute literature detailing all the necessary information needed for the newly-arriving labourers.

The booklets would be published in different languages for the convenience of the workers. The duty officer at the counter would give necessary instructions to the representative of the companies who reach the airport to receive the new employers.

Specific directives have been given to the companies on the facilities to be offered to the workers at the camps — more than four workers should not be living in a room; windows must be covered with iron nets as well as glass.

The rooms, in addition to being properly ventilated, must be big enough to meet the specified size requirement. The employer must make sure that there is proper air circulation in the rooms.

In no way, are labourers to be allowed to sleep in corridors or on roof-tops.

The Department has been working on creating a database of all companies and commercial establishments since last July, Al Nuaimy said.

Meanwhile, the Inspection Department, established according to the Emiri decree No. 35 of 2009, will continue its routine periodic inspections at the work sites, companies and labour camps.

He said the operations of two companies were suspended for one week this summer for violating the Labour Department’s directives over the break in working hours.

Sri Lanka Elected to United Nations Migrant Workers Committee

Sri LankaColombo, 08 December, (Asiantribune.com):

Ambassador Prasad KariyawasamSri Lanka's candidate, Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam was re-elected to the UN Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW), to serve a four-year term, until the end of year 2013, at the election held in New York on 3rd December 2009.

The election was held at the Fourth Meeting of the States Parties to the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

The Committee, as its main responsibility, monitors the implementation of the Convention and it is the most comprehensive international instrument that deals with the rights of migrant workers. The Convention is an important component of the core international human rights treaties in the UN Human Rights Treaty System. It came into force in the year 2003,and as of today, forty-one countries have become Party to the Conventiones.

Ambassador Prasad Kariyawasam was elected as the first Chairman of the Migrant Workers Committee in year 2003. In addition to Sri Lanka, candidates presented by the Philippines, Guatemala, Turkey, Ecuador, Mali, Jamaica, Senegal and Azerbaijan, were also elected as members of the Committee. With the election of these nine members, the Migrant Workers Committee (CMW) now comprises a total of 14 elected members, who are experts on human rights.

- Asian Tribune -

Monday, December 7, 2009

Sri Lanka may feel effects of Dubai crisis

Sunday December 05, 20


By Natasha Gunaratne





Dubai’s recent financial woes may affect Sri Lankan job seekers in the future if there is a downturn in employment in the Gulf state. Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Manoj Gunawardena told the Business Times this week that so far the airline’s daily flights to Dubai have not been affected but that they are keeping a watch on news from the Gulf nation. Dubai sent shockwaves through the financial community last week when it announced it was seeking a delay in meeting its debt repayments, totalling a staggering US$80 billion from various international banks including banking giant HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank.


Emirati men follow the market's movement at the Dubai Financial Market in the Gulf emirate. The Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock markets plunged by 6.25 percent and 5.91 percent respectively in early trade, adding to the heavy losses amid continuing concern over Dubai 's debt woes. AFP

“This is a busy travel period and bookings are made in advance,” Mr. Gunawardena said. However, he explained that there is a time lag in any upturn or downturn in bookings. “Part of our business is carrying employment seekers to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). If there is a downturn in employment or a downturn in the construction industry, there might be a decline.”

A senior economist explained that remittances from Dubai may not reduce much as Sri Lankan workers are quite intrepid and will move on to Saudi Arabia which is embarking on a massive and much more sustainable infrastructure development programme for middle class cities and educational and industrial complexes which will last for over a decade. However, he said that holders of Sri Lankan government bonds might think twice about subscribing to future issues.

The economist added that unless significant economic growth and export diversification happens soon, the Sri Lankan government could face the threat of higher inflation in 2012 and a weakening debt service capacity for the government. The coming elections will be watched closely and it is hoped that once they are concluded, the government that is formed will set the stage for a strong structural basis for rapid economic development. President of the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies Association W.M.P. Aponso said construction workers from Sri Lanka were sent back from Dubai during the early stages of the global recession but the problem has subsided to a certain extent.

He said only time will tell how Dubai ’s latest financial crisis will affect migrant workers in construction although the services sector should remain unaffected. “It all depends on the improvement of Dubai ’s financial situation.” Mr. Aponso said migrant workers are also going to Doha , Qatar – in large numbers -- for work.

Banking experts say Sri Lanka does not have much exposure to Dubai and will not be affected by its recent financial troubles. One senior banker in Sri Lanka told the Business Times that only the international banks which have loaned money to Dubai will be seriously affected.

He said Sri Lanka does not have much in terms of imports or exports with Dubai except for tea. He added that it is up to the monetary authorities in Dubai to find a solution to the problem.

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that the Dubai government would issue US$20 billion in long-term bonds and that the first installment of US$10 billion was fully subscribed by UAE’s central bank. The bond issuance is expected to provide Dubai with necessary liquidity to substitute the liquidity that has dried up globally in the last 12 months and accordingly, meet all upcoming financial obligations.
The Journal further stated that the cash infusion from the UAE comes as Dubai ’s once soaring real- estate market comes crashing down.

Falling prices, some down by 50% or more, have burned speculators who never intended to hold onto properties in the first place. Sales have plummeted, crimping cash flow for developers which are now scrambling to shed employees, cancel or postpone billions of dollars worth of projects and extend installment plans to avoid missed payments.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Under the bridge Lankans facing health problems

– Sunday Times – 29th November 2009

Early evacuation back to Colombo is the only solution for stranded workers in Saudi Arabia

By Leon Berenger

A large number of Sri Lankan migrant workers who have taken refuge under a bridge in the Saudi city of Jeddah have contracted influenza and been affected with skin diseases after they were drenched in flood waters caused by recent heavy rains in the oil-rich kingdom.

Actor-turned politician Ranjan Ramanayake who is in constant touch with the stranded workers told the Sunday Times that the situation was worsening by the day with no relief in sight for some 300 Lankans who are known to be currently living under the bridge.



Lankan migrant workers who have taken refuge under a bridge

He added that the recent media exposure had prompted the Sri Lankan Mission in Riyadh to supply two cooked meals each day to the group. “Supplying meals alone is not enough. The solution to the problem is to evacuate the group back to Colombo at the earliest. This responsibility lies with the Bureau for Foreign Employment and the Government”, Mr. Ramanayake who is also the opposition leader in the Sabaragamuwa Province said.

He said the authorities have been dragging their feet over the issue, despite the fact that they earn millions of rupees in the form of a fee from each worker leaving the country for employment overseas.“These monies should be utilized in cases such as this, instead of uttering false promises and lies”, Mr. Ramanayake said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila said it was planned to bring the group back in batches whenever there are flights available. He added that a group of 23 persons were brought back to the country earlier this week and another batch of 17 persons were already lined up to leave Jeddah on the next available flight.

He said these persons are without proper travel documents and are allowed to leave that country on Emergency Exit Certificates issued by the Sri Lankan embassy.

“Another issue is the non-availability of flights since all the airlines are over-booked owing to the ongoing Hajj festival,” Mr. Bhaila added.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Lankan bridge dwellers refuse government assistance

Daily Mirror 24th November 2009
By Kshanika Argent



Sri Lankan migrant workers living under the Sharafiya Bridge in Jeddah have refused assistance from Sri Lankan officials stating they would rather be deported by the Saudi Government. The Sri Lankan’s did however request meals, Keheliya Rambukwela Minister of Foreign Employment Promotions told Daily Mirror Online.



Minister Rambukwela said, “As Sri Lankan’s we have an obligation to see to their comfort but they are not willing to come with us to our embassy safe house. They’d rather take their chance staying under the bridge to be deported so for now we’ll provide them with meals seeing as this is all we can do at the moment.”



He added that 99% of the Sri Lankan’s living under the bridge have overstayed their visas or have run away from their employers and come to this particular spot, like other nationalities with the hope of being deported without paying a penalty fee.



Minister Rambukwela explained that the Saudi government sends a police bus on regular rounds to arrest and then deport the bridge dwellers.



He further added that the number of Sri Lankan migrant workers under the bridge has been greatly exaggerated and that many other nationalities, including Indonesians, Filipinos and Indians also living under this bridge.



Despite the incident, relations with Saudi remain cordial. Minister Rambukwela stated that the Saudi’s have been ‘very supportive’ in the recent past, having spent USD 150 million on deporting Sri Lankan’s over the past 2 months.



Meanwhile Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hussein Bahila who returned home this morning from a visit to the Sri Lankan’s living under Sharafiya Bridge stated that the bridge issue is a ‘never ending problem’.



Minister Bahila said, “We offered women refuge at the safe house but they don’t want to leave the men. When we offered the men a place to stay they complained that it was too far from the bridge and that they cant miss the police bus.” He added “We can only advise them against acting in this way in the future but the ones deported will only be replaced by a another batch.”

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Delegation to help Saudi stranded

– Daily News – 13th November 2009
A special Sri Lankan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila will visit Saudi Arabia shortly to look into the welfare of a group of Sri Lankan workers reportedly roughing out under the Kandahar Bridge and make arrangements to bring them back through legal and diplomatic intervention, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Kehiliya Rambukwella said. He said according to reports this group included nearly 300 Sri Lankans.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia is taking steps to provide them with required facilities. Sri Lankans had been found living under this bridge after losing their employment for various reasons earlier too and the Saudi Government had taken steps to send them back to Sri Lanka after the necessary legal procedure, he said.

Lankans stranded in Jeddah cry for help – Island – 13th November 2009

by Norman Palihawadena
A Sri Lankan maid stranded in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia cried her heart out at a press conference held by Uva Provincial Council Opposition leader Ranjan Ramanayake via a teleconferencing facility at Hotel Nippon yesterday.
She told the press that there were about 350 Lankans stranded and leading a miserable life under a bridge without proper food, sanitary facilities. "I don’t want to reveal my identity. There are five other pregnant women like me. The bandages on our hands and legs are an indication that we were subject to torture by our Saudi employers. We came here to escape these unscrupulous employers. Please take us back to Sri Lanka ," she cried during a tele-conference.
Another recruited as a welder said that he was asked to work as a shepherd in the scorching sun. He had escaped and reached the bridge in Safina. He said that various people supplied them with food items but at times many went without meals. He, too, appealed to the authorities to take the stranded workers back to Sri Lanka .
Ramanayake said that on and off he had brought to the notice of Sri Lankan authorities the hardships faced by Lankan migrant workers and was somewhat happy that as in the past on this occasion, too, his efforts had started to pay dividends since the Foreign Employment Bureau was taking steps to fly them back to Sri Lanka .

Several Sri Lankans living under a bridge in Jeddah-Daily Mirror – 10th November 2009

Sri Lankan migrant workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia say they have been living under a bridge seeking help from the authorities to come back home.
One Sri Lankan worker who wished to be anonymous told BBC Sinhala service that nearly 3000 migrant workers, including Sri Lankans, have been living under the Sharafiya bridge in the Saudi capital for months.
"We all have been house maids or in factory workers and were forced to leave the workplace due to various harassments or as a result of not being paid by the employers. Now we are stranded here having no means to go back home," he said.
Many stranded workers neither have money nor food, unless some passers by offer something to eat, he added.
"There are some who have been living under this bridge for over one year," he said.
He accused the Sri Lankan authorities of not taking efforts to send them home.
Rejecting the accusation, the Sri Lankan authorities say the workers, who have overstayed their visa in Saudi Arabia , are using the bridge as a tactical move to leave the country without paying a penalty fee.
Kingsly Ranawaka, chairman of Foreign Employment Bureau, told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka has repatriated nearly 5000 similar workers over the last 17 months.
"When migrants come to this place the Saudi government offer them free air tickets and send them home," he said.
He added that the government will take steps to bring the workers home but warned that another group will replace the current migrants as soon as they were removed. (BBC Sinhala)

Alarming trend of domestic worker deaths persists

By Josie Ensor
Daily Star staff

BEIRUT: At least six domestic migrant workers are believed to have committed suicide in the past month in Lebanon . But rather than being anomalies, their deaths are the most recent in an alarming trend. According to Human Rights Watch, more than one female migrant worker dies a week on average, and many more are injured trying to escape harsh working conditions in the country.
Last month, 26-year-old Ethiopian Matente Kebede Zeditu, was found hanged from an olive tree in Harouf, southern Lebanon . Ram Embwe, a 23-year-old Nepalese national, fell from the building where she worked in the Beirut suburb of Shiah a few days later, and Kassaye Atsegenet, 24, reportedly jumped from a seventh floor balcony in the neighborhood of Gemmayzeh in an attempt to free herself from the home in which she felt a prisoner.

“There is a clear pattern here and it can’t be ignored,” says Nadim Houry, a migrant rights researcher with the US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW). “People try to pass off suicides among migrant workers, particularly the Ethiopian community – saying that they are crazy and have higher suicide rates anyway, but you cannot attribute this to national characteristics.”
Human-rights advocates in the region believe these women are either pushed to suicide by poor working condition and abuse from with their employers or fall while attempting to escape. It is not uncommon practice for these migrant maids to have their passports taken away, or to be locked inside for years at a time by those who employ them.

There are believed to be over 200,000 domestic workers in Lebanon , many of whom are smuggled from Sri Lanka , Nepal , the Philippines and Ethiopia . In the last year, both Ethiopia and the Philippines took the step of banning travel to Lebanon due to the high number of suspicious deaths among the domestic worker community.

The ban has only pushed the trade underground, however, and agencies in the two countries are now sending women through third countries like Yemen .
Lebanon’s Labor Ministry attempted to tightened legislation on foreign workers in January this year by introducing a standard contract, but Houry says they have failed to enforce the new rights with commissioning bodies and watchdogs.

But, as Houry points out, the deaths of these female workers are the effect, not the cause. “It is the tip of an iceberg- a manifestation of the real underlying problem and this problem runs deep in our society.” Houry says a culmination of isolation from the outside world, the lack of privacy the women experience, coupled with the feeling there is no way out, leads women to take these drastic steps.
“Most of them sign a two to three year contract, where the employer pays up to $2,000, so when they realize they are unhappy after a couple of months and want to leave they can’t as they cannot afford to pay the money back. That is how they get trapped.
“They end up taking enormous risks to escape and it results in death.”
The growing pattern has not gone unnoticed, and one concerned Lebanese citizen has even set up a blog, “Ethiopian Suicides,” to catalogue incoming reports of deaths in the migrant community. The blog calls for Lebanese to treat their domestic workers “more humanely to stop them from killing themselves,” and has received support from human-rights groups in the region.
But, Lebanon cannot take all the blame for these women’s deaths.

Houry says agencies in the countries supplying workers go into the rural areas to lure recruits by knowingly giving them false impressions of work in the Middle East .
“For these [recruiters] the logic of profit outweighs the well-being of the person, and they will tell them anything to get them to come,” Houry says. “They forget there are people involved and it isn’t just a business.”

The site that reported the deaths of two Madagascan girls, Madagascar Online, even describes the situation tragedies as a paradisiacal holiday gone horribly wrong.
“The Lebanese adventure ended in a graveyard for Vololona and Mampionona,” the author writes. “The Lebanese paradise promised by recruitment agencies to Malagasy workers proves to be closer to hell than expected.”

One of the girls, a young 21-year-old mother named locally only as Mampionona, left Madagascar to work for a Lebanese family only a month before her death. In that short time she worked here, she wrote home saying she was forced to work long hours, often until 2 a.m, and was rarely allowed outside the house.
In almost all of the cases, including Mampionona’s, the police verdict has been suicide. However, both Migrant Rights, a group campaigning for migrants working in the Middle East , and Human Rights Watch, are questioning the cause of death.

Fatima Gomar, editor of Migrant-Rights.org, told The Daily Star that “the immediate course should be to investigate suicides of migrant workers as possible homicides, with the employer as the main suspect. If the investigation shows that the maid was mistreated by her employer, [they] must face consequences.”

Gomar and Houry agree that authorities need to conduct more thorough investigations into these cases in order to first rule out the possibility of murder.
Police should hold employers, agencies and embassies to account for domestic workers, Houry says, and “until there are proper investigations into these incidents, these needless deaths will continue.”

Saudi executions raise questions about legal help for convicted overseas Lankans

– Sunday Times 8th November 2009
By Malik Gunatilleke
The execution of two Sri Lankans in Saudi Arabia this week has once again raised concerns that Sri Lankans working overseas do not have adequate legal representation when they get into trouble and are convicted for offences.
The two Sri Lankan nationals were beheaded on Wednesday in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia , after being convicted for theft and murder in 2007. The crime is said to have taken place in November 2005. It is alleged that a group of 12 armed persons, including seven Sri Lankans, had robbed and murdered a Saudi woman. Judgement was passed in June 2007, and two Sri Lankans, K. M. S. Bandaranaike and Haleema Nissa Cader, were sentenced to death. Muhammed Naushad Barmil, an Indian national and the husband of Haleema Nissa Cader, was also sentenced to death.
Five other Sri Lankans convicted in connection with the robbery and murder were handed five-year sentences along with 500 lashes. Meanwhile, it has emerged that the defendants had no legal representation during the trial and that the court case was conducted in Arabic, with the accused understanding little or nothing of the court proceedings.
Foreign Employment Bureau deputy director P. G. Yapa told the Sunday Times that the two executed Sri Lankans were registered with the bureau and that they had been given legal assistance by way of document translations.
“We made several appeals to the Saudi authorities, but all our appeals were rejected, with no reasons given,” Mr. Yapa said. “We did all we could for the families concerned.” Mr. Yapa said the bureau had also facilitated in flying a family member to Saudi to meet the accused, as well as covering the cost of bringing back to Sri Lanka the child of one of the victims.
The Saudi authorities had made no attempt to inform the Sri Lanka government, the families of the accused, or the media about the date of the execution. Mr. Yapa said this was the usual practice in Saudi Arabia . “Once a person is sentenced, there is a period for appeal, and after that the Saudi authorities will execute the accused without informing any of the relevant authorities or family,” he said.
The deputy director of the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministry was not obliged to make appeals on behalf of Sri Lankans convicted overseas, but had done so in this instance through the Attorney-General. He confirmed that the ministry’s appeals were rejected by the Saudi authorities, and that no further action would be taken on the matter.
“Apart from this case, there are many other Sri Lankan nationals convicted in Saudi Arabia , while hundreds have been charged for brewing illicit liquor. There’s very little we can do, especially in a case where the defendants have already made a confession,” he said.
According to Amnesty International (AI), which condemns executions, the confessions of the accused in the Saudi case were probably obtained under duress during police interrogations. AI said the accused persons had had no legal representation throughout their imprisonment and trial.
According to AI, 321 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia since 2007, 134 of them foreign nationals. At least 106 foreign nationals are awaiting the death penalty out of a total of 137 convicted persons.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Delegation to help Saudi stranded

– Daily News – 13th November 2009
A special Sri Lankan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila will visit Saudi Arabia shortly to look into the welfare of a group of Sri Lankan workers reportedly roughing out under the Kandahar Bridge and make arrangements to bring them back through legal and diplomatic intervention, Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Kehiliya Rambukwella said. He said according to reports this group included nearly 300 Sri Lankans.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia is taking steps to provide them with required facilities. Sri Lankans had been found living under this bridge after losing their employment for various reasons earlier too and the Saudi Government had taken steps to send them back to Sri Lanka after the necessary legal procedure, he said.

Lankans stranded in Jeddah cry for help

Island – 13th November 2009
by Norman Palihawadena
A Sri Lankan maid stranded in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia cried her heart out at a press conference held by Uva Provincial Council Opposition leader Ranjan Ramanayake via a teleconferencing facility at Hotel Nippon yesterday.
She told the press that there were about 350 Lankans stranded and leading a miserable life under a bridge without proper food, sanitary facilities. "I don’t want to reveal my identity. There are five other pregnant women like me. The bandages on our hands and legs are an indication that we were subject to torture by our Saudi employers. We came here to escape these unscrupulous employers. Please take us back to Sri Lanka ," she cried during a tele-conference.
Another recruited as a welder said that he was asked to work as a shepherd in the scorching sun. He had escaped and reached the bridge in Safina. He said that various people supplied them with food items but at times many went without meals. He, too, appealed to the authorities to take the stranded workers back to Sri Lanka .
Ramanayake said that on and off he had brought to the notice of Sri Lankan authorities the hardships faced by Lankan migrant workers and was somewhat happy that as in the past on this occasion, too, his efforts had started to pay dividends since the Foreign Employment Bureau was taking steps to fly them back to Sri Lanka .

Monday, November 9, 2009

Australia, Sri Lanka sign agreement to fight human smuggling

Daily Mirror-10th November 2009




By Dianne Silva

Australia and Sri Lanka today signed an agreement to combat human smuggling which included setting up a national level focal point in Sri Lanka to deal with the issue. The agreement was signed with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith a short while ago.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo this evening the Australian Foreign Minister said that both Sri Lanka and Australia are faced with an immense challenge to counter human smuggling and both countries believe they can do more to address the issue.
“Combating people smuggling requires long term commitment,” the Australian Foreign Minister said adding that two of his officials who accompanied him to Sri Lanka will remain here to further discuss the issue.

Meanwhile speaking to reporters Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, stated that during talks between Australia and Sri Lanka today both countries had also discussed the resettlement of displaced people in the north as well as steps to counter LTTE activities in Australia .

Asked why Australia has not banned the LTTE in Australia Mr. Smith said that Australia has already taken steps to deal with the LTTE under Australian law and under the UN system.

Several Sri Lankans living under a bridge in Jeddah

Daily Mirror – 10th November 2009




Sri Lankan migrant workers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia say they have been living under a bridge seeking help from the authorities to come back home.

One Sri Lankan worker who wished to be anonymous told BBC Sinhala service that nearly 3000 migrant workers, including Sri Lankans, have been living under the Sharafiya bridge in the Saudi capital for months.

"We all have been house maids or in factory workers and were forced to leave the workplace due to various harassments or as a result of not being paid by the employers. Now we are stranded here having no means to go back home," he said.

Many stranded workers neither have money nor food, unless some passers by offer something to eat, he added.

"There are some who have been living under this bridge for over one year," he said.

He accused the Sri Lankan authorities of not taking efforts to send them home.

Rejecting the accusation, the Sri Lankan authorities say the workers, who have overstayed their visa in Saudi Arabia , are using the bridge as a tactical move to leave the country without paying a penalty fee.

Kingsly Ranawaka, chairman of Foreign Employment Bureau, told BBC Sandeshaya that Sri Lanka has repatriated nearly 5000 similar workers over the last 17 months.

"When migrants come to this place the Saudi government offer them free air tickets and send them home," he said.

He added that the government will take steps to bring the workers home but warned that another group will replace the current migrants as soon as they were removed. (BBC Sinhala)

Saudi executions raise questions about legal help for convicted overseas Lankans

– Sunday Times 8th November 2009

By Malik Gunatilleke

The execution of two Sri Lankans in Saudi Arabia this week has once again raised concerns that Sri Lankans working overseas do not have adequate legal representation when they get into trouble and are convicted for offences.

The two Sri Lankan nationals were beheaded on Wednesday in Jeddah , Saudi Arabia , after being convicted for theft and murder in 2007. The crime is said to have taken place in November 2005. It is alleged that a group of 12 armed persons, including seven Sri Lankans, had robbed and murdered a Saudi woman. Judgement was passed in June 2007, and two Sri Lankans, K. M. S. Bandaranaike and Haleema Nissa Cader, were sentenced to death. Muhammed Naushad Barmil, an Indian national and the husband of Haleema Nissa Cader, was also sentenced to death.

Five other Sri Lankans convicted in connection with the robbery and murder were handed five-year sentences along with 500 lashes. Meanwhile, it has emerged that the defendants had no legal representation during the trial and that the court case was conducted in Arabic, with the accused understanding little or nothing of the court proceedings.

Foreign Employment Bureau deputy director P. G. Yapa told the Sunday Times that the two executed Sri Lankans were registered with the bureau and that they had been given legal assistance by way of document translations.

“We made several appeals to the Saudi authorities, but all our appeals were rejected, with no reasons given,” Mr. Yapa said. “We did all we could for the families concerned.” Mr. Yapa said the bureau had also facilitated in flying a family member to Saudi to meet the accused, as well as covering the cost of bringing back to Sri Lanka the child of one of the victims.

The Saudi authorities had made no attempt to inform the Sri Lanka government, the families of the accused, or the media about the date of the execution. Mr. Yapa said this was the usual practice in Saudi Arabia . “Once a person is sentenced, there is a period for appeal, and after that the Saudi authorities will execute the accused without informing any of the relevant authorities or family,” he said.

The deputy director of the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the ministry was not obliged to make appeals on behalf of Sri Lankans convicted overseas, but had done so in this instance through the Attorney-General. He confirmed that the ministry’s appeals were rejected by the Saudi authorities, and that no further action would be taken on the matter.

“Apart from this case, there are many other Sri Lankan nationals convicted in Saudi Arabia , while hundreds have been charged for brewing illicit liquor. There’s very little we can do, especially in a case where the defendants have already made a confession,” he said.

According to Amnesty International (AI), which condemns executions, the confessions of the accused in the Saudi case were probably obtained under duress during police interrogations. AI said the accused persons had had no legal representation throughout their imprisonment and trial.

According to AI, 321 people have been executed in Saudi Arabia since 2007, 134 of them foreign nationals. At least 106 foreign nationals are awaiting the death penalty out of a total of 137 convicted persons.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Protecting migrant workers

________________________________________
– Daily News – 3rd November 2009
THROUGH MIGRANT WORKERS’ POLICY:
Lionel Wijesiri
A phenomenon of our time that deserves close study is the way the Sri Lankan overseas contract workers have been growing and what its impact will be on the future of the country. The latest estimates indicate that 1.8 million Sri Lankan men and women are working abroad, which equals 25 percent of the total work force and nearly 10 percent of the total population.
It is no exaggeration to say that the foreign exchange remittance of our overseas contract workers has helped to keep the economy afloat. Last year, foreign exchange

Hopeful migrant workers at BIA. File photo
remittances to the Sri Lanka from our migrant workers totalled over US $ 2500 million, representing a large segment of the gross national product. At the same time, an encouraging note is that in spite of the global economic crisis, the deployment of Sri Lankan workers abroad continues to rise. New markets continue to be found by Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency.
Public policy
Time and again the Government has reaffirmed that adequate safety nets and protection should and will be provided to Sri Lankans who choose to work overseas legally. In fact, the Cabinet recently approved a Memorandum submitted by the Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Keheliya Rambukwella to implement a National Labour Migration Policy for Sri Lanka . The overall objective of the policy is to advance opportunities for all who engage in migration for decent and productive employment in conditions of freedom and dignity. The Policy contains a detailed work plan outlining action to deal with important policy issues that have been identified.
Minimum salary
This policy declaration is, in fact, the first of its kind in the South Asian region. It also focuses on the welfare of migrant workers which include, entering in to bilateral MOU’s with destination countries for facilitating the welfare of the workers, introducing policies for minimum salary standards and introducing the host country operated compulsory insurance schemes for female migrant workers. The policy also talks of introducing a pension scheme for migrant workers.
The move has been hailed by the migrant workers as well as the related agencies as a step in the right direction. But, next comes the difficult part - implementation. Just like any public policy in Sri Lanka , it will also face many obstacles to successful implementation. I can foresee seven such major problems. Refusal to take serious strategic actions addressing these issues could translate to implementation delay and failure.
First, the administrators must change their lethargic mentality to a more pragmatic and optimistic one if the implementation is going to succeed; second, there is no room for lip service when dealing with high volatile issue that touches on so many lives.
Decision makers (both political and officials) must show strong will power to carry out reforms; third, continued Presidential leadership and guidance is required since labour migration is not just ordinary local policy - it requires attention on both national and international agenda; fourth, the Government and related agencies must ensure that front-line institutions of the executive and judicial branches have efficient mechanisms to enforce the laws and regulations; fifth, the citizenry should recognize that civil society support is vital to sustain policy implementation; sixth, the Government - through diplomatic channels - must induce the host countries to show understanding and respect for our labour force; seventh, decision-makers must realize that this is a long-term policy issue that needs lasting policy solutions. These are problems which should be tackled in a pragmatic way and solutions found before venturing forward.
Also critical to successful implementation is a strong Government capacity that allows for the representation and meaningful participation of migrant workers; political, administrative, financial transparency, accountability and the effective use of government employees. Further, since protection of migrant workers is a transnational issue that requires transnational solutions, partnerships across borders are also necessary. Destination countries should be active partners and should complement the offerings of welfare funds.
OWWA
The new Migration policy also declares providing effective protection and welfare services to migrant workers and their family members. It is in this respect, I believe, we could take a lesson from the Philippine experience.
The Philippines ’ Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is the world’s largest migrant welfare fund. It is an attached agency of the Department of Labour and Employment and the lead government agency tasked to protect and promote the welfare and well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers and their dependents.
Few recent events show how Philippine Government appreciates the contribution its migrant workers make to its economy. The OWWA declared that it is taking steps to create hospitals and hospital wings that would specifically cater to the medical needs of overseas Filipino workers and their dependents. “We always say that we are grateful to these workers, this is a way of showing them,” OWWA chief commented.
One more example is the fast-track Calamity Loan Center . It is meant to be for the families of active OWWA members when unexpected traumatic events disrupt their lives. The loan is granted with no interest, payable in 24 monthly installments with a grace period of 120 days from release.
The third example is the Education for Development Scholarship Program. It is a scholarship grant offered to qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OWWA members who intend to enroll in any four to five-year bachelor’s degree course. Another privilege is ‘The Skills for Employment Scholarship Program.’
It is a scholarship program in coordination with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, to OWWA member or their dependents/beneficiaries. A qualified applicant may avail of either a one-year technical of a six-month vocational course offered following the regular school year calendar.
A well-organized membership-driven welfare fund like OWWA can benefit migrants in a number of ways. Once its limitations are addressed, such a fund can be a useful template for us as we face the mounting challenges of protecting our workers abroad. The bottom line is if we want to realize the benefits of the migrant worker’ policy, we must overcome all limitations. We must tailor services to the immediate or core needs of overseas workers without overextending the Government’s capacity, as well as of creating meaningful partnerships with members of the civil society and the private sector.
Research
Not surprisingly, the Sri Lankan overseas work force is one of the most talked about areas by sociologists, economists and anthropologists.
Armed with their case studies and demographical statistics, they have gone into topics ranging from the costs and benefits of the exodus to the national development to the effects on the workers’ family, households and communities.
But surprisingly, only a few analysts have attempted to apply their models to explain the political and social dimensions of this human phenomenon.
There is much scope for in-depth study in this field. For example, one understudied question is how the transnational labour is slowly eroding the traditional notions of our country.
The inter-relationship of overseas workers’ human rights, gender and feminization, cultural adjustment and mental health are also interesting themes.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Detention by SLBFE ! Do they have Right to Arrest People?

By; G.S.L.J.S. Dias –A.A.L

My own experience can be a good beginning for this column. I used to work for an INGO in an Asian country and for many years I was not called to pay the Migrants levy at the Airport, in many occasions i was in good attire and therefore I was free to travel without checked by the SLBFE officials. One day in 2006 when I traveled with my mother they stopped me and asked my Levy and stamp by SLBFE. It went to nearly 30 minutes with arguments an counter arguments with SLBFE as they don’t have clear idea on under what category I can be charged. As I work for INGO, they didn’t had any clue on my category further there was no gazette notification displayed at the counters in this regard , neither they had it in their files. Since my feeble mother is waiting for me at the lobby I decided to pay basic amount and finally I agreed to pay 3500/= which is the lowest levy available and I attached a protest note to the authorities. I have been able to argue, question and challenge as I am a Lawyer, but a poor persons comes to Colombo for the first time may surrender them selves as they think this is the law of the country.

I made an official complain to the Airport authority seeking their explanation on what grounds they have allowed outside parties to maintain legal rights that only permitted to Civil Aviation Authority. The reply from the airport aviation authority informed me that the Airport Aviation Authority, authorized the presence of SLBFE at the airport but silent on the unlawful arrest and detentions. Civil Aviation Authority had no legal rights to delegate the Right of Detention or arrest to unlawful parties in this case SLBFE within the Airport. It’s not mentioned in the Civil Aviation laws neither SLBFE act. Specially to conduct it as general daily routine. We Sri Lankans believe and adhered only to the Rule of Law but not to any other powers.

Since then I used to question the presence of SLBFE officials at the airport and inquire about their legality of stop people ,question and prevent them moving. According to the Sri Lankan Law except for those who permitted to maintained law and order others cannot take any one in to custody unless an irreparable destruction happening. Prevention of movement at the Airport is a clear obstruction of freedom of movement and an unlawful arrest as described in the Sri Lankan Law. Therefore what’s happening at the Airport is an unlawful arrest and obstructing the freedom of movement. Other than Law enforcing Authorities Immigration is authorized to prevent Persons leaving the country. Even though its also questionable at least its legal. These days there are various Law enforcing officers are waiting at the Airport to prevent suspected persons leaving country. They also have authority to do so even though its also questionable.

Freedom of movement is guaranteed as a fundamental Right by the Sri Lankan Constitution. Therefore SLBFE act is a violation of Sri Lankan Constitution as well as continue to do so without a proper authority is an unlawful act. I have received many complains form various parties that many migrant workers have been stopped at the Airport by the officials of the SLBFE and send them back as some of these people doesn’t have money to pay the levy. Some people were asked to pay even more than Rs.10,000 and some poor villages pawned their jewelries for unreasonable amounts to pay this levy. An official working inside the airport told me that one of his relations faced the same situations and he has witnessed many such unfortunate situations. According to the act all the persons are legally bound to pay the levy. But there is no legal authority to these unauthorized people (SLBFE Staff)to stop any one at the airport or detain or obstruct movement of people which is guaranteed by the constitution. There isn’t any clause that permitted officers or a person of SLBFE is permitted to obstruct people at the Air port or arrest or detain them.
I request all those who travel through Colombo Airport to go through the SLBFE counter and ask their legality and question their presence at every point and ask them to show their authorization documents. As Legitimate citizens of this country we can question and we have that Right.

I was not prevented by SLBFE for many years but suddenly checked as I was not in rich attire on the said day. So the rational for SLBFE is they obstruct only he poor and they don’t stop any good looking people. They don’t have systems that insist all Sri Lankans departure from Sri Lanka is compulsory to go through their check point at the Airport. I have seen many well dressed migrant workers are leavening the country with out any levy and without checked by SLBFE at the Airport. The unequal and discriminatory nature of checking must come to a holt and SLBFE needs to get the sanctions from the Sri Lankan Legislative for such action where Civil society can challenge before they enact, if the try to bring discriminatory laws.

By using this kind of screening they do violate another FR which is the Right to equal treatment. What SLBFE can argue will be they are not a state body but a company. My argument is then we can still challenge them on the basis that they have no authority to operate at the airport and unless state allowed them to operate, then the relevant ministry is violating the above Rights and by that they are violating our Rights.

Non benefiting Payment

Under the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act No. 21 of 1985, it is a legal requirement for all workers leaving Sri Lanka for overseas employment to be registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) prior to departure. The annual turn over of SLBFE will be Over 800 Million from the registered Migrant workers if we take 200,000 Departures per year and levy at a minimum rate of 4000. The numbers are higher than that and fees are also higher. The SLBFE other earnings such as License fees, fines etc will bring much higher additional revenue generation. SLBFE is a profit making company manage by the government and mainly maintained by the poor Migrant workers from their hard earn money. It’s their money as each migrant worker registered at the SLBFE pays levy between 3500- 12,000 or more based on their country and job.

Officially over 1.7 million people are working overseas at present. 80% of these placement have been to the middle -east mainly to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. Out of these Saudi Arabia accounted for 33% of the market. Almost 95% of labour to Saudi Arabia has been as House-maids. There can be 250,000 others working as undocumented workers and those who unregistered at the SLBFE including direct hiring and various others.
In 2007 Rs. 276,814 Million received as foreign remittances by private parties against 35.75% of the total exports this is the second largest revenue generator in the Sri Lankan export sector. The government and their various other actors are highly benefiting by this remittances. Almost all banks involved in remittance business earns substantial amount of their income through the foreign remittance by the migrant workers. With all "Mahinda Chinthana" Says: that “Open new avenues for skilled labour in fields such as nursing, shipping, computer science , etc., to secure foreign employment. An English medium nursing college will be established, which is aimed at fulfilling the growing demand for nurses in European countries. Welfare projects will be introduced ay village level for the benefit of the children of those who are employed abroad. Special arrangements will be made to protect the female expatriate workers. Special housing loan schemes will be arranged through state and private banks, with a 30% contribution being made by the Government through a suitable mechanism.
A pension Scheme will be introduced for those who are employed abroad.
The duty free allowance presently available for returnees from employment abroad will be increased to US$ 5,000. Laws will be amended to allow the use of this facility during the first 6 months from date of returning to Sri Lanka.”
SLBFE web site says that the Bureau offer various services and benefits to the workers even though its questionable as the recipient are bare minimum and deaths and other disabilities comes as below;
Natural Deaths 2006- 100 male 72 female total 172 , 2007 – 112 male 87 female total 199
Accidental deaths 2006- 59 male 18 female total 77, 2007 – 48 male 18 female total 66
Suicide deaths 2006- 3 male 4 female total 7, 2007 – 3 male 6 female total 9
Static’s indicate that annually there can be maximum of 100 deaths comes under the compensation SLBFE schemes and these compensation will not exceed 30 million per year and disabilities compensations will be less than the above amount. What ever way the total welfare that migrants receive will be less than 100 million that includes grade 5 scholarships, and other offers. Most of the other benefits offered by the SLBFE are loans which they agreed with state banks. Even the death compensation are paid by the Sri Lanka insurance company which lamented that the amount paid by the SLBFE is not sufficient and they need to increase the amount. This reveals that even the death compensation are on an insurance scheme where SLBFE doesn’t directly pay the compensation.
The question comes then , where does the money that poor migrant workers pay will be utilize? This column will be email to the SLBFE and more than 20 of its officers and the ministry as well as to the minister. They should come out with the utilization details if it’s positive than what I propose. Also this is posted to many other Rights Organizations and international bodies for their information.
My argument is that

1) Firstly the levy doesn’t serve to the Sri Lankan migrant community and it’s an eye wash and money grab.
2) Secondly the levy shouldn’t use as a point to prevent people leave the country but can be taken as voluntary or non compulsory manner.
3) If levy is compulsory as it says in the act then the benefits must be more substantial and transparence and accountability need to be increase.
4) There is a basic principle in the law says that no one can become rich through other people money. SLBFE is a company and they have no rights become rich but to serve.
5) The other question is that under which jurisdiction that air port authority authorized private company (SLBFE) to run a detention facilities and jurisdiction of arrest passengers comes to airport.

This is a serious situation that Migrant Rights Organizations, Agencies, Lawyers and International institutions must deal with the Sri Lankan Government which is a signatory for the International Covenant for Migrant Workers as well as bound by Fundamental Rights of the Constitution.

Remittances, Side Businesses & Failure of sate on sustaining and protecting Migrant Workers

By G.S.L.J.S. Dias –A.A.L




Introduction



Migrant workers are the second largest export commodity of Sri Lanka and even though this industry deals with humans. In spite of the market stake Migrant workers are neglected and poorly treated by the state and state authorities as well as various other service providers and actors. In every possible opportunity the migrant related actors are exploiting the money earn by the Migrant workers.



Often we can see these state and non state actors behaves like a money grabbers rather services providers. There are two categories of money grabbers even though some are involved with voluntary decision of Migrant workers. But there is a clear group of Money grabbers that can be prevent by a Government intervention.



The first export sector of Sri Lanka is the garment industry, which is not completely a Sri Lankan production, where we do only the processing in Sri Lanka and value added services. Compare to Tea industry, where Sri Lanka get total benefit. Labour exports bringing full benefits to the country, therefore from the migrant’s perspective the industry owe more facilities and infrastructure. The unfortunate tragedy is that migrant workers with that high prominence in the remittance sector won’t get incentives or protection for their contribution but only undignified treatments.



The area where severe exploitations are taking place can be regularized and redress through government interventions, and some of those are; Remittance transfer issues, Leisure facilities , Errant Recruitment Agencies , Taxes and Custom Duties , Welfare in Host countries , Protection, Health and investments. The voluntary protection programmes can be introduced in to Media, Communication and, Religious observances where government has no direct involvement.



I prefer to share life stories as its easy to understand. A friend of mine paid Rs.150,000/= in 2005 to go to Malaysia to a leading and well known recruitment agency. After three months of payment they all were sent back after they were stranded in Malaysian Airport for three days. The agency promised the money back and paid 70,000 and kept balance 80,000 with a promise for a job in Saudi Arabia ( KSA). My friend got the money as he was being able to threat the agency and I intervened as Lawyer. After 6 to 8 months he was offered a job in KSA as driver , all these days my friend was jobless and waiting for new job and spend Rs.70,000/= for his daily living expenses. In KSA his salary was 700 Saudi Riyals (SR) and 300 living allowance out of that 100 SR was deducted for Akama (kind of Saudi Job Permit) and some more for other licenses. Their salaries were paid two months later. In Sri Lankan currency every thing he got comes to about 25,000/= per month and he being able to send around 12000-15,000 to the family.



My friend had spend nearly 200,000 before he get this job but only being able to send back home around 250,000 for the 24 months, By few week he felt that he is not in sound financial position and need some thing to earn and only way out is going back to middle east. He moved to another Arabic country for better salary through a relative. This time his life may be better than the past but I know for sure that he lost all the faith on the state system and every body involved in the field. My friend is a fortunate one compare to some cases I received from Migrant workers. Is this only his fault? Or is there some others are also involved side businesses among Migrant workers?



A survey done by the Migrant Rights organizations in Hong Kong among the Hong Kong Domestic workers brought interesting findings. According to said survey the majority of Pilipino Domestic Workers spends nearly 55 % of their income inside Hong Kong and only send 45% back to their homes. These figures are varied to other nationalities such as nearly 45 % for Indonesians and 40% for Sri Lankans. Stories are more pathetic in Middle East as some of the Domestic workers wont get any salary at all but similar in countries like Singapore and Israel. There are various businesses and actors to grab the earnings of these migrants workers through various gimmicks and attractions. These migrant workers knowingly and unknowingly become victims of these fake persons.



The first tragedy comes when a Migrant worker leaves the country as she or he will loose his or her eligibility for Samurdhi (the Government Poor relief). Government removes them from the list of the welfare recipients as they are no more below the poverty line. Actually they are worst than before until the end of first year as many of them continue to pay the debts they obtain to pay the job money. In Indonesian, case most of the domestic workers working in their first 7 months to pay their agency fees. Usually most of the Domestic workers in Middle East receive around 150-200 USD even though Government insist on 250US$. This small salary will not be enough to maintain a family and pay the debts as well as their dream of sustenance. It will take 3 to 4 years for them to come to a break even position. By the time many of them undergo social issues and family issues due to migration and compelled to continue. But this endless migration will benefit the state and other money grabbers as until Migration is existing the taxes and other incomes are ensured.



Gender Aspect



From this point my emphasis is on how these migrant workers manage their salaries and how various other actors are trying to grab money from them. Most of the Women Newspaper companies targets Factory Girls & Migrant workers as their prime readers. When a news paper comes to a host country it will cost around Rs 200 /= a paper there are more than 20 such Women News papers discuss every thing under the sun including many myths. These migrant workers spend on these news papers as they are human and need some kind of leisure for them( this is valid for those who are allowed to go out but for those who are not permitted has to live in open prisons until they terminated). Knowing the social stigma that these workers are going through and their distance relationships with their loved once bogus sooth Sayers, shamans and astrologers advertise various services for money in this news papers. These cunning culprits some how exploit the psychosocial issues of the Migrant workers in to a money spin for them. These bogus wild businesses even advertise their Fax numbers to receive grievances of Migrant workers and answers by currier services.



This will follow CD &DVD film sellers, and food Items sellers. Many Migrant workers spend money on food Items as they cannot continue with food styles of the host countries for a longer period.



Religions too



It’s also a practice of various religious sects and orders to export religious preachers to those host countries and tax the migrant works. In many cases government failed to provide these services which has high demand and finally this burden also falls in to the Migrant workers head. If government intend to get involved in this services must go for all four religions as well. Poor migrant workers offer things varied from Atapirikara ( Buddhist Offerings)to Wine ( mainly Christians do ) for these popular preachers including their air fare and hotel bills.



Lack of cultural interaction



Then comes the organized Musical and cultural show organizers and they organize at least 3- 4 shows per year and some times it goes up to 6 in some in certain countries. A country like Korea a ticket will cost 25 USD and in Middle Eastern country it will come down to10-12 USD and Italy it will be higher than that. These show organizers take various types of Musicians & Bands to where Migrant workers are living as it’s a lucrative and profit making business for them. Poor migrant workers can be easily attracted to these business ventures due to their lonely life styles that they undergo in their host countries.



Banks and Dreams



Sending remittance is a costly thing irrespective of ownership of the bank is state or not. All most all the banks do charge commissions from Migrant workers it comes to about 1500/= for each transaction. There is large number of unauthorized money senders where they involved in Forex business by currency supplying to business community. They don’t charge any thing therefore they are very much popular among workers. In cases forgers runaway with the earnings of migrant workers. NRFC accounts of many banks are just an eyewash and their promises are not real. Some banks promise low Interest Housing Loans but once you go to banks they said its only for the 200,000 and if the loan is more than that then the interest will be higher. These benefits and its limits are not divulged at the time of account opening. This is misleading and cheating and only for attract poor Migrant workers with sugar coated words but really no benefits. Further these loans are extremely difficult to obtain as migrant workers has to prove their income where they are unable.



Promises



Duty free is another cheat for Migrant workers as many household items are out of the list of Duty free items. Cargo taxes can be reduced for the Migrant workers and special benefits can be offer to the Migrant workers. I have seen in many occasion that how Customs officers treat poor migrant workers at the custom warehouses. Most of the Migrant workers bring second hand items and small items that thrown out by their employers and at the customs these poor people are being exploited and some times mercilessly. I have seen how women leave the place crying as they couldn’t take any thing home as their duty is extremely high. There is no educating process or clear advices on custom duties and calculation patterns , Poor domestic helper are being victims of various person at those warehouses specially from Customs.



Migrant workers are thirst of information about their families specially the mothers but for many of them it’s a costly business. Many migrant workers spend good percentage of their income on call cards and telephones all of them buy a mobile as they wants to communicate with their loved once Mobile Market is very lucrative among the Migrant workers. Most of the Migrant workers are become victims of various taxes that government charge directly and indirectly as well as Job Money.



Almost all the job Agencies charge job money and they do not confined to government charges, but charge between 250UDS to 1500 USD depend on the country. If it’s a European country the amount will go up to 1 Million. None of these agents give receipts for these money but they charge these amounts as job seekers pay anything to get a job.



Health from you own wealth



In many places these poor workers have to look after their health needs and medicine in some cases there are free medical facilities and insurances. None of the host countries has proper psychosocial interventions for Migrant works and embassies are not equipped enough to handle these kind of cases. Many of the workers under go emotional issues but no body to help them. These psycho social issues finally deal by the bogus agents and many lose their money to those fake people.



Succession



Most of the Migrant Workers continuously occupied as Migrant Workers and even brought their children in to the industry and some are entering third generation Migrants. Since Sri Lanka is involved in Migrant workers industry for last 40 Years the Third generation is now entering in to the industry . If migration is a successful and sustainable industry then third generation must be live in comfortable lives. But the truth is far different from that. Over the past 4 decades governments of Sri Lankan didn’t have a proper plan for Migrant workers future. Government just enjoyed the colossal amount of remittance earned by the Migrant workers and did nothing to them neither protect them from others. From Remittance to counseling, communication to duty free items , government can intervene and make these people lives more productive and sustainable and easy . But it’s very sad that all the governments were failed to so do. At least embassies and consular sections doesn’t give any concession for the migrant workers on their renewal of Passport or any official matter but seek donations when ever government needs support back in Sri Lanka.



End Note



I will end this with a constructive note a friend of mine workers for Migrant organization and shared with me. According to her some migrant organization are already involved in collective actions for Migrant investments in Countries like Philippines. These investments will bring sustainability and dignity for the migrant workers and transform their life perceptions as well. The ultimate goal of these Philippine Migrant organizations were to buy the majority shares of a air line and provide better services for Migrant workers. This can be a dream but a dream that every migrant workers should dream where their lives end in dignified position. . Otherwise Migrant workers will see their 4th generation also entering into the same industry. We as a country will fall in to such shameful position unless we do some thing to bring sustainability to the lives of Migrant workers. From the Migrant workers side prevention and stop exploitation is a major and urgent need where they expect from the government and relax the red tapes.



Sri Lankan Government can do many interventions if they are interested. Initiate a separate Duty free complex for Migrant workers and Government owned cheaper international call card system can be a good beginning. As well as regularity bodies for every section where migrant workers involved or strengthen Sri Lankan Bureau for Foreign Employment (SLBFE) collective partnership of State , Private sector and Migrant Rights Groups.

Police Powers to SLBFE -It's too dangerous

By G.S.L.J.S. Dias –A.A.L

It was my serious concern that SLBFE operating police powers without any legal framework especially in relation to arrest and detention at the Airport



I queried the legality of a Government bureau preventing people leaving the country and obstructing their right to movement.



Last week I have been able to experience SLBFE again at the Airport and for my dismay it was only a just a calling by the SLBFE People in two occasion they call me "excuse me Sir" and I purposely ignored their calling as I know they have no powers to either stop me or talk to me, as Lawyer I knew that I don’t need to obeying them legally. But I saw many other innocent poor travelers listened to them and disclosed their travel documents to these People. And as usual some of them were penalized. I was come in to their notice as I purposely behaved like a fearful person and amateur to the Airport. Otherwise they will not notice me or call me.



Still the issue is what will be the screening methodology that SLBFE is going to follow towards identifying migrant workers at the airport. My continuation challenge even this time , is based on a serious news that appeared in the Sunday Times newspaper that SLBFE is seeking Police powers. Then some other newspapers also carried the same news items in detail and some said that the amendments will bring to parliament near as 24th September 2009.



Even though this is late we need to see the gravity of the amendments that going to discuss at the parliament. Police powers are serious authority over civil people. It has rights to arrest, detain and submit people to the judiciary. The news items are not details enough, up to what extend SLBFE is seeking Police powers, but Daily news reports as below;

" In a bid to curb illegal acts perpetrated by both legal and rogue overseas job agents, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is seeking sweeping powers including permission to arrest without warrant any person violating regulations.

Also under the new proposals, the failure of a job agent to keep his promise to send an eligible migrant worker abroad would come under a fine ranging from Rs. 1500 to Rs. 20,000.

These powers are sought under the proposed amendments to the SLBFE Act, which are to be presented in Parliament shortly. "

The details given is interesting and positive many angles and building hopes for better Foreign employment services but also raise eyebrows as there are fishy areas too. Its very much known to every one that Job Agents charge exorbitant amounts and fees and usual amount is above 50,000 , so charging maximum of 20,000 for those who breach promises will put the migrant workers in to further problem as any body can charge huge amounts and promise a job but the failure will only end up with 20,000. As most of the Job agents won't give the receipts no body will be able to proof any misdeeds. Yesterday a woman called me for errant job agent where she was given a job after pay 70,000. She was asked to leave after 6 months and now she is looking for redress. She even didn’t know what to do and where to complain. I told her to complain to SLBFE and bring the reference to me to follow up. In such situations the new amendments doesn't mean any thing but leaving big loop holes.

The main topic still the police powers with other minor issues. At the moment few department has Powers to arrest people. Such as Excise Department, Customs, Police and Security Forces and immigration and bribery. Except for bribery rest are departments and even bribery was a departments and now is a commission under a parliament act. This is the first time a bureau of this nature is going to have police powers and the records of SLBFE doesn't support such powers. It can be easily abused and there we need more other restriction instead of police powers. The poor migrant workers will face sever problems as travelers and uneducated public. Even torture can be taken place in such detention places and its not clear whether Government Bureau is covers by the torture act. If not this is a licensing structure out of government to torture. This will not provide a good precedent.

The other factor that civil society and the parliamentarians need to concentrate that is the political appointments that are taking place with the bureau and irregularities that often we hear. With the police powers many thing can be covered and those who are voices against them can be silences with false charges as they have Rights to arrest people with out a warrant. This kind of powers to an organization with poor reputation and political appointments can bring the behavior of wild ass and it seems that the issues in the foreign employment sector wrongly identify and wrongly redress.

The amendments are very serious and it's so sad as those amendments are going to discuss at the parliament with out any public discussion and judicial check and balances. Leaving to a job is a personnel Right and personnel decision, but we need regularity body as its practiced in mass scale and there for regularities are also mass scales. Regularities don't mean suppression or violations of personnel Rights. I always stand for taking legal actions against any body do crimes but not through the repressive laws that can be extremely harmful to the wider population in this case directly around 6 Million People. Migrants are helpless group of our society, we as rights defenders need to protect them and their rights. Otherwise they will be victims by the same laws that came to their protection.

Migrant Workers Rights & International Detention

By G.S.L.J.S. Dias –A.A.L







As a sending country we need to pay little bit more attention on International Detention and Sri Lankan Migrant workers as we are poorly aware about this subject.



For sure none of the government bodies that deals with Migrant Workers has any clear figures about how many Sri Lankans are in the prisons in various countries that specially Sri Lankans migrated as migrant Workers. When I was in Hong Kong I use to visit some of them with my little access but was not being able to practice as I was not officially authorized to do so. But I knew many of their stories and mental agony that they are gone through. When some one living in a foreign land he is alien to the culture and social life of that country , When they are imprisoned they will experiences the alienation thousand times more. Especially most of the countries they are not using international languages in their prisons and loneliness and alienation will be extreme situation to these international prisoners mainly migrant workers.



Sri Lankan Migrant workers are detained in many countries for various reasons including Immigration offences, Murder, Theft, Traffic Related offences, Moral offences, asylum related detention and drug related Offences. Many of them are doesn't have access to Legal assistance or legal representations. In many cases these people are unaware that even in foreign countries they are entitle to legal Representations and it’s a Universal Right. Many Sri Lankan Embassies are lack of human power to attend to their nationals living in the prisons or they are not interested. There are many incidents reported to me that Sri Lankan embassies are unaware of most of the prison case or visit them only once. Some are imprisoned soon after they landed sue to a faults of the recruitment agents.



In some embassies that are lawyers as a part of attaché but many places there are no such facilities. Even the lawyers whom recruited by the SLBFE or Embassies have a limited scope as Legal systems of such countries are not permitted foreign lawyers to do court practices. Simply these lawyers are listing and visiting Para-legals in many of the receiving countries, due the above restrictions. In the Rizana Nafiqe in KSA , even Sri Lanka government failed to act spontaneously and finally its Asian Human Rights commission came to the rescue of Rizana with the legal fees. The main issue that delayed Rizana's case was monitory inability of the Sri Lankan government where Sri Lankan earns 33% its foreign remittance form Migrant workers.



Lack of Legal Knowledge



One major issue that Most of the migrant Workers are facing is poor legal awareness or lack of knowledge on laws related to their work and basic laws. This is a responsibility of the recruiting agencies as well as embassy of the country. Due the economical depravation prevails in the country most of the migrant workers are uneducated and poor. No way that we can expect them to know the laws. Even some of them are unaware of the laws of their own country. In that case these people are deprived of legal Assistance form the Embassies or a Sri Lankan government system and obtain legal knowledge form the Embassies. As far as Hong Kong the government provides a hand book for Migrant workers. The hand book even with some mistakes provides a very good knowledge base for Migrant workers and it's available in both Singhalese and Tamil languages. The book also provides about where they can get legal assistance important contacts how to behave in the country ect ect. If Migrant workers have such book then they are some what resourced. This is not done by the Sri Lankan consulate in Hong Kong but by the Government of Hong Kong and it’s a service of the Government for all the migrant works irrespective of Nationality.



It's very essential that Middle Eastern countries do the same as many of the migrant workers are very much new to the culture and the laws of those countries. In the other hand the laws are very strict in those places and very much different to the Roman Dutch and British legal norms of Sri Lanka. Philippines Migrant workers can be a good example for any country. They are organized and futures thinking even though their government is equally corrupt as ours.



Lack of Interest



If Sri Lankan government is financially weak to initiate such endeavors they can initiate collective endeavors with other sending countries and it then only needed arise is to translate in to Sinhalese and Tamil languages. I am sure that in many places Philippines organizations would have done this already. These are preventive measures while the Government and SLBFE also under obligations of providing these Migrant workers proper visitations and other assistance while they are serving prison terms.



The Embassy officials should have a proper visitation schemes and full details of the all Sri Lankan prisoners in each and every country. Some countries are offer clemency for prisoners during various cultural and Rights based festivals including Ramadan n d International day for Human Rights. As far as I know Sri Lankan embassies are very weak in such interventions on behalf of their country men/women for the reasons only known to them.



Many of the prisoners face a dire need of Communication with their families and in some case prisons doesn't have such facilities and language barriers. Government SLBFE and embassies need to introduce facilities in consultation with the respective government in a reasonable basis. Specially families living in Sri Lankan need to communicate and these communicating's are extremely humane in nature and it’s a right. Unfortunately many of the things I discuss are not happening, it's not only a matter of finances but lack of interest and also the government interest on migrant workers. In the other hand its also a human responsibility as a people of Sri Lankan to spend times on our people in the prison, some times we are willing to spend a lot of charity or get some religious person to host countries but not at all interested to visit prisoners whom are in great needs. In places like Korea some emigrant workers are living in Sanctuaries such as churches and temple and it these religious people whom look after them but not the embassies.



Mobilizing the influential



In all the countries there are Sri Lankan Associations as well as many able and influential persons belong to the Sri Lankan community of the respective country. The embassy can easily mobilize those able people and influential people to support and help the Prison community. In many instances the Sri Lankan associations are also bit hesitance to get involved in Prisoners are they think it’s a extra burden. But as person doing it in the country and did while I was abroad I know how much of relief we can bring to those who are in prisons. Usually the Migrant workers have poor attitudes towards the Prisoners but no one can ever say I m out of that danger. Therefore we have to make aware the migrant community about the possibilities and helping hand they can offer. There is no other hell than become prisoner in a foreign land where the prisoner is total aliens and living on the mercy of un know people. Therefore it’s a grave responsibility of the government to protect them look after them and assist them to deal their issues in Rights based approach. Especially for a country that earns from Migrant workers it's a must.



The Other important thing that Sri Lankan government doesn't looking is hire or recruit a lawyer from the respective country where spontaneously legal assistance cane be offer. This is very useful in many angles as the lawyer that Embassy recruit can speak the language and the awareness of the culture and connections. These are very important where ever the prisoners are concern,. I have no way heard that SLBFE supports legally for those who are in prison unless it’s a world famous case such as Rizana. The Money collected by SLBFE ( now with Police powers) can be utilize in each country where Sri Lankans are working to build a support fund to legal assistance. There should be an officer to deal with the Run away maids, Run away workers and al the other people whom come across with the legal and dentition issues , in many cases before they are being detains.



Ending note;



It's very unfortunate to hear many cases that Sri Lankan Migrant workers are living in very poor conditions and without any assistance from the Sri Lankan government or SLBFE. I know personnel where family remembers seeking friend jobs just to look after their loves ones or get them away. I personally support them and heard many other cases. It's not some thing that a single person can for and it’s the responsibility of the Government and its arms. It's important that government to understand that this as a possibility and the potentiality of the Migrant workers to become prisoners. Prevention as well as guarantee the Universal rights such as Rights to legal representations need to be attend immediately. Otherwise it's only a exploitation of its own people by a government or a money grabbing.

Government warns of stern action against human smuggling

– Daily Mirror-26.10.09




The government has warned that stern action will be taken against any group or individual involved in human smuggling. State television quoted Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe as saying the defence establishments have been placed on alert to crack down on such operations.

Minister Smarasingha told state TV that human smuggling involving Sri Lankans has tarnished the image of the country and steps will be taken to prosecute all those involved in such activities. (ER)

10% of Sri Lankan foreign labour faced abuses in 2001 – Sunday Times – 25th October 2009

In 2001, 10% of Sri Lanka 's migrant labour faced abuse of a physical, psychological or sexual nature, with low skilled categories subjected to high levels of abuse. In 2007, there were 8,445 complaints received, a new study shows.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka earned 7% of its Gross Domestic Product (US$ 3 billion) from remittances attributable to foreign workers, 80% of these from Middle East countries and about 18% from Europe . These earnings made up 36% export earnings and 21% import payments, and have become the leading source of foreign capital to the country, overtaking inflows from foreign aid and foreign direct investment.

There are presently 1.8 million Sri Lankans estimated to be working abroad with 250,000 being the annual outflow of workers; 21% of the country's total 2007 labor force. In addition, Sri Lanka also had the highest rate of expatriation of doctors to OECD countries and the third highest rate of expatriation of nurses.

The majority of Sri Lanka's foreign workers proved to be housemaids or unskilled workers (together 70%) while 24.7% were skilled. 82% of all local labor was expatriated to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Housemaids or unskilled workers remitted 80% of their income back home, while skilled labour mostly spent their income abroad.

These facts were revealed at the launch of the first edition of the "International Migration Outlook - Sri Lanka 2008" country report commissioned by the International Organization for Migration.

The report, which was compiled by Sri Lanka's Institute of Policy Studies and based on data gathered from the "Department of Emigration and Immigration, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the CID, the BOI, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, and Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Sri Lanka, IOM and others", also identified a number of areas of concern for the future of for the country's foreign employment sector, including: a "skills mismatch of what is demanded by foreign countries and what Sri Lankan workers could offer"; a "tremendous need" to make zonal remittance centres available to rural parts of the country; and a lack of conventions with the Middle East (currently only signed memorandums of understanding exist) pertaining to the treatment of Sri Lankan foreign employees.

10% of Sri Lankan foreign labour faced abuses in 2001

– Sunday Times – 25th October 2009
In 2001, 10% of Sri Lanka 's migrant labour faced abuse of a physical, psychological or sexual nature, with low skilled categories subjected to high levels of abuse. In 2007, there were 8,445 complaints received, a new study shows.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka earned 7% of its Gross Domestic Product (US$ 3 billion) from remittances attributable to foreign workers, 80% of these from Middle East countries and about 18% from Europe . These earnings made up 36% export earnings and 21% import payments, and have become the leading source of foreign capital to the country, overtaking inflows from foreign aid and foreign direct investment.
There are presently 1.8 million Sri Lankans estimated to be working abroad with 250,000 being the annual outflow of workers; 21% of the country's total 2007 labor force. In addition, Sri Lanka also had the highest rate of expatriation of doctors to OECD countries and the third highest rate of expatriation of nurses.
The majority of Sri Lanka's foreign workers proved to be housemaids or unskilled workers (together 70%) while 24.7% were skilled. 82% of all local labor was expatriated to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Housemaids or unskilled workers remitted 80% of their income back home, while skilled labour mostly spent their income abroad.
These facts were revealed at the launch of the first edition of the "International Migration Outlook - Sri Lanka 2008" country report commissioned by the International Organization for Migration.
The report, which was compiled by Sri Lanka's Institute of Policy Studies and based on data gathered from the "Department of Emigration and Immigration, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the CID, the BOI, Sri Lanka Tourist Board, and Foreign Diplomatic Missions in Sri Lanka, IOM and others", also identified a number of areas of concern for the future of for the country's foreign employment sector, including: a "skills mismatch of what is demanded by foreign countries and what Sri Lankan workers could offer"; a "tremendous need" to make zonal remittance centres available to rural parts of the country; and a lack of conventions with the Middle East (currently only signed memorandums of understanding exist) pertaining to the treatment of Sri Lankan foreign employees.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Sri Lanka migrant labour seen safe from downturn

LBO>>General Services
Nomadic Workers
22 Oct, 2009 13:26:15

Oct 22, 2009 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's migrant workers and their remittances are unlikely to be seriously affected by the global economic slowdown, the Institute of Policy Studies said in a report.
"Despite the emerging evidence that there will be a sharp decline in global remittance flows, Sri Lanka appears not to be at significant risk of experiencing a sharp downturn in inflows in the near term," it said in a report.
The bulk of migrant workers from Sri Lanka are in the Middle East region, engaged in low skilled jobs and as housemaids, the report on the state of the island economy by the think tank said.
"This category of workers typically tends to save less in the host country which ensures that a high proportion of their income is remitted back home to support their dependents," it said.
"This scenario can be expected to continue in the current environment of an economic slowdown, as most migrant workers are supporting the basic needs of their dependents back home."
According to the Central Bank, workers’ remittances increased by 9.9 percent to 2,195 million US dollars in August 2009 from a year ago.
The IPS also noted that remittances are sent by accumulated flows of migrants over the years, and not only by new migrants of the last year or so.
"This can make remittances more stable over time," the report said.
Sri Lanka may also not face the additional stress of significant numbers of returning migrants due to job lay-offs.
Job losses so far are seen mainly in employment sectors that are more sensitive to economic cycles.
These include private construction work, manufacturing, financial services, retail and trade and tourism related services, and it is migrants in these particular sectors that are affected.
But the IPS said the numbers of Sri Lankan migrants in these sectors are not particularly significant.
The report said that evidence of past economic downturns show that migrant workers are often the most vulnerable in terms of job losses and treatment in the host country but that Sri Lankan workers are likely to be unaffected given the nature of their work.
"The bulk of Sri Lanka's migrant workers - comprising of housemaids that account for 47 percent of Sri Lanka's temporary workers - is less likely to be immediately affected by the global economic downturn," the IPS report said.
"This is particularly so due to the type of occupation where the locals are reluctant to engage in similar work. Such jobs are not taken up by many locals for both social and economic reasons."
But unskilled migrant workers, especially those in the construction industry, may be affected by the slowdown in construction and service sectors in Gulf economies such as Dubai which has been badly hit by the recession.
The report also said that recent studies suggest that in some sectors like health care, household domestic employment where demand for workers is more stable, loss of employment opportunities will be minimal.
However, the report said in some sectors workers might face problems like reduced wages or non-payment of wages or reduced working days

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tamil Canadians to offer seized migrants legal help

Sun Oct 18, 11:33 pm ET

VANCOUVER, Canada (AFP) – The Canadian Tamil Congress said its lawyers will represent dozens of illegal migrants arrested on a ship seized off Canada's West Coast.

Detention hearings will begin early this week for as many as 76 migrants from a freighter seized Friday by Canadian military, police and other agencies.

The migrants were transported Sunday to a jail in Vancouver "where the Canadian Border Services Agency will continue to examine their admissibility to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act," agency official Rob Johnston said Sunday in a statement.

Johnston was tight-lipped about whether the migrants are Sri Lankan.

"The number of individuals being detained, their ages or their origin cannot be confirmed," he said.

Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan said in Ottawa Saturday the ship may have come from Sri Lanka, but added that had not been confirmed.

A spokesperson with the Canadian Tamil Congress said the organization, which represents 500,000 Tamils living in Canada, has had no confirmation but suspects the migrants are Tamils fleeing strife in Sri Lanka.

"We have not been able to get in touch with anyone," Sue Nathan told AFP Sunday.

But Nathan said the Congress is flying lawyers from Toronto to Vancouver to represent the migrants.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Sri Lankan in Kuwait celebrates Deepavali

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Mon, 2009-10-19 02:04 — editor
Gulf Countries
Kuwait, 19 October, (Asiantribune.com):
In recognition of the beliefs and aspirations of Hindu devotees, the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait on 17th October organized a “Deepavali Festival” at the Embassy premises with the participation of the Embassy staff, their family members, well-wishers and over 50 inmates of the Embassy Suraksha Nivahana belonging to all faiths.

This is first ever Deepavali festival to have been organized by the Embassy staff in Kuwait. The celebrations began with the lighting of ceremonial oil lamp following which a welcome speech was delivered by Mrs. Ramanika Dissanayake, President of the Seva Vanitha Unit. She welcomed those present for the Deepavali celebrations and appreciated their commitment and support to the Embassy in organizing this Hindu festival in a fitting manner.

In his brief remarks Ambassador Sarath Dissanayake thanked the Seva Vanitha Unit and its members for organizing a Deepavali festival for the first time in Kuwait. He also noted the relevance of Deepavali celebrations for forging unity, peace and harmony among different nationalities of Sri Lanka, at a time a new era of peace and unity has ushered in the country following the defeat of terrorism. He extended best wishes to the Sri Lankan Hindu community in Kuwait for a “Happy and Peaceful Deepavali”.

Mr. A M Indranesan, Attaché delivered a special speech highlighting the relevance of Deepavali for Hindus in particular and Sri Lankans in general for their socio cultural emancipation. He also recalled the historic epic “Ramayanaya” from which he traced the origins of Deepavali which was narrated in the famous Rama – Seetha episode. He thanked the Embassy Seva Vanitha Unit for having organized Deepavali celebrations at the Embassy which was a memorable event for the Hindu community in Kuwait.

The audience was mesmerized by a group of children who dressed in traditional Tamil attire performed a dance depicting the Deepavali “Festival of Lights”. The Seva Vanitha members clad in typical dresses for the occasion performed a Tamil drama and a classical song of Sri Lankan origin.

A fashion dress parade also held for the kids and ladies which was well appreciated by the audience for its elegance and diversity. The models who dressed in attractive and colorful costumes stole the evening much to the delight of all. The winners of the fashion show and dress parade were awarded special prizes. Over 50 Suraksha Nivahana inmates of Hindu faith were delighted that they could celebrate one of their most important festivals on the Hindu calendar thanks to the generosity of the Embassy.

Mr. Sunil Sarath Perera, Minister Counsellor delivered a special message of appreciation while the vote of thanks was readout by Mrs. Kalyani Herath, Minister Counsellor. At the end of the festival all invitees partook in a traditional meal hosted by the Embassy Seva Vanitha Unit. A special tribute was paid by the invitees to the Seva Vanitha Unit members for the hard work and special efforts put in by them to make the Deepavali festival a success.

Proceedings of the event was conducted by Miss Roshana Alie and Mr. M.B.M. Zarook.

- Asian Tribune -