Rasika Somarathna
After years of toil the Sri Lankan male migrant workers has been able to out number their female colleagues, with the former enjoying a 52 percent of the share, according to latest statistics.
In recent years, Sri Lankan officials have actively encouraged male migration coupled with skilled labour and has taken steps to discourage the common practice of promoting unskilled female migrant domestic labour.Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment Chief, Kingsley Ranawaka at a recent function stated that the increase in skilled males migrating for employment had increased SLBFE’s profits considerably.
According to reports the migrant worker remittances increased by 14 percent in year 2009 in comparison to 2008 .
In 2008 the revenue generated through foreign employment amounted to US $ 2.9 billion and in 2009 US $ 3.3 billion.
According to SLBFE the increase in revenue is expected to be higher in 2010 with the recent negative effects impacted due to the economic recession fading away.
From the late 1980s until as recently as year 2000, women made up the majority of these labour migrants. They accounted for 75 percent of the migrant flow in the mid-1990s. Of the migrant women, 88 percent went to work as housemaids.
However the trend started changing with the advent of the new millennium with the males increasing its share from 33 percent in year 2000 to 52 percent today.
According to SLBFE it is not only the males that the authorities has laid emphasis on but females as well who possess the necessary skills\knowledge levels to match the existing demands in the global market.
Migration for employment in Sri Lanka has grown remarkably over the last decade, with numbers increasing more than ten fold.
The total number of migrants employed abroad is estimated at 1.8 million people (Central Bank, Annual Report 2008) while annually the outflow of workers is about 250,000 people.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Migrant worker remittances to rise; recession impact fading
Sri Lanka’s revenues from migrant worker remittances are likely to see a sharp increase with the negative fallout of the economic recession fading away.
A new survey in the Gulf revealed that more than half the companies in the Gulf are planning to hire in the next three months.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has been encouraging male migration coupled with skilled labour in recent years.
According to the Middle East survey carried out by job site Bayt.com and pollster YouGov, 56 percent of companies there said they intend add to their headcount, with 29 percent definitely recruiting and 27 percent probably hiring.
The results are unchanged from the last survey in February when 56 percent of companies also said they planned to hire in the next three months.
Asked about the next 12 months, 30 percent of companies said they definitely plan to recruit and 40 percent said they will probably hire, little-changed from the previous survey.
"The first quarter of 2010 started positively in terms of the propensity to hire among organisations across the Middle East, and this latest study indicates these early positive sentiments will continue into the second quarter," Bayt.com CEO Rabea Ataya said.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said recently the migrant worker remittances increased by 14 percent last year, compared to 2008.
In 2008, the revenue generated through foreign employment amounted to US $ 2.9 billion and in 2009 US $ 3.3 billion.(VS)
The island online
A new survey in the Gulf revealed that more than half the companies in the Gulf are planning to hire in the next three months.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has been encouraging male migration coupled with skilled labour in recent years.
According to the Middle East survey carried out by job site Bayt.com and pollster YouGov, 56 percent of companies there said they intend add to their headcount, with 29 percent definitely recruiting and 27 percent probably hiring.
The results are unchanged from the last survey in February when 56 percent of companies also said they planned to hire in the next three months.
Asked about the next 12 months, 30 percent of companies said they definitely plan to recruit and 40 percent said they will probably hire, little-changed from the previous survey.
"The first quarter of 2010 started positively in terms of the propensity to hire among organisations across the Middle East, and this latest study indicates these early positive sentiments will continue into the second quarter," Bayt.com CEO Rabea Ataya said.
The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said recently the migrant worker remittances increased by 14 percent last year, compared to 2008.
In 2008, the revenue generated through foreign employment amounted to US $ 2.9 billion and in 2009 US $ 3.3 billion.(VS)
The island online
Male migrant workers out number females
After years of toil the Sri Lankan male migrant workers has been able to out number their female colleagues, with the former enjoying a 52 percent of the share, according to latest statistics.
In recent years, Sri Lankan officials have actively encouraged male migration coupled with skilled labour and has taken steps to discourage the common practice of promoting unskilled female migrant domestic labour.Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment Chief, Kingsley Ranawaka at a recent function stated that the increase in skilled males migrating for employment had increased SLBFE’s profits considerably.
According to reports the migrant worker remittances increased by 14 percent in year 2009 in comparison to 2008 .
In 2008 the revenue generated through foreign employment amounted to US $ 2.9 billion and in 2009 US $ 3.3 billion.
According to SLBFE the increase in revenue is expected to be higher in 2010 with the recent negative effects impacted due to the economic recession fading away.
From the late 1980s until as recently as year 2000, women made up the majority of these labour migrants. They accounted for 75 percent of the migrant flow in the mid-1990s. Of the migrant women, 88 percent went to work as housemaids.
However the trend started changing with the advent of the new millennium with the males increasing its share from 33 percent in year 2000 to 52 percent today.
According to SLBFE it is not only the males that the authorities has laid emphasis on but females as well who possess the necessary skills\knowledge levels to match the existing demands in the global market.
Migration for employment in Sri Lanka has grown remarkably over the last decade, with numbers increasing more than ten fold.
The total number of migrants employed abroad is estimated at 1.8 million people (Central Bank, Annual Report 2008) while annually the outflow of workers is about 250,000 people.
Rasika Somarathna
daily news .lk
In recent years, Sri Lankan officials have actively encouraged male migration coupled with skilled labour and has taken steps to discourage the common practice of promoting unskilled female migrant domestic labour.Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment Chief, Kingsley Ranawaka at a recent function stated that the increase in skilled males migrating for employment had increased SLBFE’s profits considerably.
According to reports the migrant worker remittances increased by 14 percent in year 2009 in comparison to 2008 .
In 2008 the revenue generated through foreign employment amounted to US $ 2.9 billion and in 2009 US $ 3.3 billion.
According to SLBFE the increase in revenue is expected to be higher in 2010 with the recent negative effects impacted due to the economic recession fading away.
From the late 1980s until as recently as year 2000, women made up the majority of these labour migrants. They accounted for 75 percent of the migrant flow in the mid-1990s. Of the migrant women, 88 percent went to work as housemaids.
However the trend started changing with the advent of the new millennium with the males increasing its share from 33 percent in year 2000 to 52 percent today.
According to SLBFE it is not only the males that the authorities has laid emphasis on but females as well who possess the necessary skills\knowledge levels to match the existing demands in the global market.
Migration for employment in Sri Lanka has grown remarkably over the last decade, with numbers increasing more than ten fold.
The total number of migrants employed abroad is estimated at 1.8 million people (Central Bank, Annual Report 2008) while annually the outflow of workers is about 250,000 people.
Rasika Somarathna
daily news .lk
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Hotline for Migrants workers Complains
SANRIM announced its hotline for Migrants who need legal aid and other assistance
0114990943
Also can be contact Chairperson of SANRIM 0757119417
SANRIM facilitated Migrnats workers LAwyers Support group.
0114990943
Also can be contact Chairperson of SANRIM 0757119417
SANRIM facilitated Migrnats workers LAwyers Support group.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Foreign employment revenue rapidly increased in Sri Lanka
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka .
Mar 24, Colombo : Sri Lankan expatriate workers sent home US $ 3.3 billion in 2009 making the remittances the nation's main foreign exchange earner.
This was disclosed by the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion Sunil S. Sirisena when he addressed the meeting following the opening of the first Provincial office of the Foreign Employment Bureau in Vavuniya.
This is a sharp increase from the figure of remittances of US $ 2.9 billion in 2008.
The secretary said that there are 1.8 million Sri Lankan expatriate workers presently. International labor migration from Sri Lanka has grown remarkably over the last decades, with numbers increasing more than tenfold, according to the Central Bank, Annual Report 2008.
Annual outflow of workers is about 250,000 people. In 2007, the equivalent of 23% of total employment generated and 21% of Sri Lanka 's labor force was made up by foreign employment.
Migrant remittances are a mainstay of the Lankan economy, accounting for about 7% of GDP and 36% of export earnings.
Mar 24, Colombo : Sri Lankan expatriate workers sent home US $ 3.3 billion in 2009 making the remittances the nation's main foreign exchange earner.
This was disclosed by the secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion Sunil S. Sirisena when he addressed the meeting following the opening of the first Provincial office of the Foreign Employment Bureau in Vavuniya.
This is a sharp increase from the figure of remittances of US $ 2.9 billion in 2008.
The secretary said that there are 1.8 million Sri Lankan expatriate workers presently. International labor migration from Sri Lanka has grown remarkably over the last decades, with numbers increasing more than tenfold, according to the Central Bank, Annual Report 2008.
Annual outflow of workers is about 250,000 people. In 2007, the equivalent of 23% of total employment generated and 21% of Sri Lanka 's labor force was made up by foreign employment.
Migrant remittances are a mainstay of the Lankan economy, accounting for about 7% of GDP and 36% of export earnings.
FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT BRANCH OPENED IN JAFFNA
Daily News
Boon for foreign job seekers
Suraj A. Bandara From Jaffna
Opening a branch of Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau is a long felt need of the people of Jaffna , EPDP leader and Social Welfare and Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda said.
A huge demand will be created among the youth of Jaffna to seek job opportunities abroad after a proper training given by this institution, he said.
The 26th branch of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau was set up in the Jaffna District yesterday with the participation of Minister Douglas Devan-anda. This will target all skilled youth in the region. Domestic labour will not be encouraged on foreign employment since there is a surprising demand for the Sri Lankan skilled labour from all over the world. Jaffna is famous for educated and intelligent people and if their knowledge is properly harnessed we will be able to challenge anyone in the world, he said.
The Minister said this was initiated under the program of ‘Northern Spring’ and with the Direct supervision of Senior Presidential Adviser Basil Rajapaksa. This region will be facilitated with all supplies to be on par with the South, the Minister added.
Devananda said, foreign employment is a good source of income for the emerging youth who wasted time for unnecessary targets. Now people will not travel to Colombo to get training and they all will be provided with an expert panel of trainers.
“I requested from the Foreign Employment Minister to set up an office in our area and he directed his officials to set up this Institution with immediate effect to benefit Northern youth.
Northern Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Foreign Employment Ministry Secretary Sunil A. Sirisena, Foreign Employment Bureau Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka and DGM (training and conciliation) Mangala Randeniya also participated
Boon for foreign job seekers
Suraj A. Bandara From Jaffna
Opening a branch of Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau is a long felt need of the people of Jaffna , EPDP leader and Social Welfare and Social Services Minister Douglas Devananda said.
A huge demand will be created among the youth of Jaffna to seek job opportunities abroad after a proper training given by this institution, he said.
The 26th branch of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau was set up in the Jaffna District yesterday with the participation of Minister Douglas Devan-anda. This will target all skilled youth in the region. Domestic labour will not be encouraged on foreign employment since there is a surprising demand for the Sri Lankan skilled labour from all over the world. Jaffna is famous for educated and intelligent people and if their knowledge is properly harnessed we will be able to challenge anyone in the world, he said.
The Minister said this was initiated under the program of ‘Northern Spring’ and with the Direct supervision of Senior Presidential Adviser Basil Rajapaksa. This region will be facilitated with all supplies to be on par with the South, the Minister added.
Devananda said, foreign employment is a good source of income for the emerging youth who wasted time for unnecessary targets. Now people will not travel to Colombo to get training and they all will be provided with an expert panel of trainers.
“I requested from the Foreign Employment Minister to set up an office in our area and he directed his officials to set up this Institution with immediate effect to benefit Northern youth.
Northern Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Foreign Employment Ministry Secretary Sunil A. Sirisena, Foreign Employment Bureau Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka and DGM (training and conciliation) Mangala Randeniya also participated
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Himal Southasian Runs Story on Migrant Suicide Epidemic
March 16th, 2010
Abusive employers Housemaids Lebanon Suicide Videos Women
Himal Southasian, a regional journal, has carried a story on suicides of migrant women in its online edition, written by Sophia, our Nepal-based editor. You can read the full story here, and also see some clips from Kesang Tseten’s work-in-progress Saving Dolma. We are eagerly awaiting this film!
Abusive employers Housemaids Lebanon Suicide Videos Women
Himal Southasian, a regional journal, has carried a story on suicides of migrant women in its online edition, written by Sophia, our Nepal-based editor. You can read the full story here, and also see some clips from Kesang Tseten’s work-in-progress Saving Dolma. We are eagerly awaiting this film!
Lebanon: Sri Lankan Suicide
March 19th, 2010
Housemaids Lebanon Suicide
The Lebanese National News Agency reported today that, in Jal El Dib (Christian suburb of Beirut), Sri Lankan maid, Ambagla Mudian Silage (born 1980) jumped from the window of Al Rabih employment office located at the fourth floor of Hafiz Abu Jaoude building. She died instantly after her head was completely crushed.
This is the third death of migrant domestic workers occurring in an employment office and not at the employer’s house. This is a worrying pattern, especially in light of the apparent unaccountability of employment offices bringing maids to Lebanon.
Originally published on http://ethiopiansuicides.blogspot.com/
Housemaids Lebanon Suicide
The Lebanese National News Agency reported today that, in Jal El Dib (Christian suburb of Beirut), Sri Lankan maid, Ambagla Mudian Silage (born 1980) jumped from the window of Al Rabih employment office located at the fourth floor of Hafiz Abu Jaoude building. She died instantly after her head was completely crushed.
This is the third death of migrant domestic workers occurring in an employment office and not at the employer’s house. This is a worrying pattern, especially in light of the apparent unaccountability of employment offices bringing maids to Lebanon.
Originally published on http://ethiopiansuicides.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 22, 2010
Thai Worker Dies from Palestinian Rocket Fire as Israeli Employers Neglect Workers’ Safety
March 20th, 2010
Israel News
On Thursday a 30-year-old Thai worker was killed from a Palestinian rocket that exploded in the Netiv HaAsara village in southern Israel. The rocket was launched by the Ansar al-Sunnah militant organization from the Gaza strip.
Tom Mehager of the Israeli migrant rights NGO Kav LaOved explained that workers have no choice but to work in unsafe areas, since their residency permit is tied to their employer. If the workers want to change jobs to move to a safer location, they lose their legal status. Because workers often have to pay over $8,000 to agents who secure the visa that allows them to enter Israel, the workers are left with no choice but to continue working in an unsafe environment.
Israel employs over 30,000 workers in the agricultural sector, most of whom are Thai workers. According to a Kav LaOved report from last October, migrant workers in this field are subjected to “wide and systematic exploitation” and face “complete abandonment by government authorities”.
Last year, The National reported about a group of Thai laborers who were forced to continue their work during the Gaza War, as their employer went to the bomb shelter with his dogs. The workers were also forced to work all week long on the farm, despite the fact that Israeli law obliges employers to give their workers 36 hours of rest per week. Mehager said that Thai workers, because of their isolation and lack of language skills, are especially ripe for exploitation.
Israel News
On Thursday a 30-year-old Thai worker was killed from a Palestinian rocket that exploded in the Netiv HaAsara village in southern Israel. The rocket was launched by the Ansar al-Sunnah militant organization from the Gaza strip.
Tom Mehager of the Israeli migrant rights NGO Kav LaOved explained that workers have no choice but to work in unsafe areas, since their residency permit is tied to their employer. If the workers want to change jobs to move to a safer location, they lose their legal status. Because workers often have to pay over $8,000 to agents who secure the visa that allows them to enter Israel, the workers are left with no choice but to continue working in an unsafe environment.
Israel employs over 30,000 workers in the agricultural sector, most of whom are Thai workers. According to a Kav LaOved report from last October, migrant workers in this field are subjected to “wide and systematic exploitation” and face “complete abandonment by government authorities”.
Last year, The National reported about a group of Thai laborers who were forced to continue their work during the Gaza War, as their employer went to the bomb shelter with his dogs. The workers were also forced to work all week long on the farm, despite the fact that Israeli law obliges employers to give their workers 36 hours of rest per week. Mehager said that Thai workers, because of their isolation and lack of language skills, are especially ripe for exploitation.
Human rights society wants racism reported
By Abdullah Al-Maqati
DHULUM – The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has urged the public to report any instances of racial discrimination directed at Saudi nationals or expatriates, and has called for studies into social problems that affect individual human rights such as favoritism, nepotism and tribalism.
“Everyone can help in preventing racism and promoting tolerance and moderation,” said Mufleh Al-Qahtani, the chairman of NSHR. “We need to work to cease categorizing people according to race, faith or color.”
King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Al-Qahtani said, has played a significant role in establishing the principles of dialogue at home and abroad, “promoting tolerance regionally and internationally to help nations avoid devastating wars and instead turn to reason and peace”. – Okaz/SG
DHULUM – The National Society for Human Rights (NSHR) has urged the public to report any instances of racial discrimination directed at Saudi nationals or expatriates, and has called for studies into social problems that affect individual human rights such as favoritism, nepotism and tribalism.
“Everyone can help in preventing racism and promoting tolerance and moderation,” said Mufleh Al-Qahtani, the chairman of NSHR. “We need to work to cease categorizing people according to race, faith or color.”
King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Al-Qahtani said, has played a significant role in establishing the principles of dialogue at home and abroad, “promoting tolerance regionally and internationally to help nations avoid devastating wars and instead turn to reason and peace”. – Okaz/SG
Friday, March 19, 2010
Jailed for mistreating maid
SOON after Peck Choon Khim hired a maid in 2008 to help take care of her two adopted children, she started hitting the Myanmar national.
The abuse continued for the next five months and on Friday, Peck, 41, was sentenced to four months' jail.
A district court heard she had mistreated Ms Moe Thandar Lin, on 15 occasions from November 2008. Ms Lin only complained to her agent, after Peck slammed a kettle of hot water against her left arm on March 15 last year.
The agent called the police who found the list of all the incidents listed in the maid's diary.
At the last hearing in January, Peck's lawyer Lim Kim Hong asked the court to be lenient to her client as the maid had been defiant and disrespectful from the very start. The maid was also no help in taking care of the children, aged 18 months and three years.
All the more reason for Peck to get a new maid, said District Judge Ronald Gwee. He added: 'The correct thing to do is to terminate her employment but in this case, there were repeated occasions of abuse. Physical punishment is not allowed. It's a line no employer should cross.'
The maximum sentence is a jail term of three years and a $7,500 fine on each of the four charges
The abuse continued for the next five months and on Friday, Peck, 41, was sentenced to four months' jail.
A district court heard she had mistreated Ms Moe Thandar Lin, on 15 occasions from November 2008. Ms Lin only complained to her agent, after Peck slammed a kettle of hot water against her left arm on March 15 last year.
The agent called the police who found the list of all the incidents listed in the maid's diary.
At the last hearing in January, Peck's lawyer Lim Kim Hong asked the court to be lenient to her client as the maid had been defiant and disrespectful from the very start. The maid was also no help in taking care of the children, aged 18 months and three years.
All the more reason for Peck to get a new maid, said District Judge Ronald Gwee. He added: 'The correct thing to do is to terminate her employment but in this case, there were repeated occasions of abuse. Physical punishment is not allowed. It's a line no employer should cross.'
The maximum sentence is a jail term of three years and a $7,500 fine on each of the four charges
Lankan betrays trust Fear of ouster
KUWAIT CITY, March 17 : Police are looking for an unidentified Sri Lankan for betrayal of trust, reports Arrouiah daily.
According to security sources the man works for a well-known businessman and he was given KD 9,600 to deposit in the company bank account. The man is said to have disappeared with the money.
Fear of ouster: Two Asian women who jumped from the second floor of a balcony to avoid arrest have been admitted to a hospital with injuries, reports Al-Anba daily.
The incident happened in Messilah when an inspector from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor was checking the documents of employees working for establishments in the area.
It has been reported the victims are residence law violators and they tried to escape to avoid deportation from the country
According to security sources the man works for a well-known businessman and he was given KD 9,600 to deposit in the company bank account. The man is said to have disappeared with the money.
Fear of ouster: Two Asian women who jumped from the second floor of a balcony to avoid arrest have been admitted to a hospital with injuries, reports Al-Anba daily.
The incident happened in Messilah when an inspector from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor was checking the documents of employees working for establishments in the area.
It has been reported the victims are residence law violators and they tried to escape to avoid deportation from the country
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