Seek employment through authorized channels- HC

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Singapore has advised Sri Lankans seeking employment in Singapore to use employment agencies through authorized channels and to register with the High Commission upon arrival in Singapore. He added that in this manner they could obtain maximum benefits.
A Foreign Ministry release said the Sri Lankan High Commission had organized an awareness

programme for around 60 expatriate Sri Lanka female domestic workers in Singapore on the 11th January 2009.
It was the first time such a programme had been held to assist the expatriate Sri Lankan workers in Singapore.
The objective of the programme was to inform the workers of the rights and privileges they were entitled to as well as to provide them with a forum to discuss problems or obtain clarifications from a select panel.
The panel consisted of the High Commissioner, the Counsellor (Employment and Labour Welfare), Mr.Bathiya Sumithrarachchi, Director of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and diplomatic staff of the High Commission.
In her opening address, the High Commissioner welcomed the domestic workers and highlighted the important contribution they make to Sri Lanka.
She stated the objective of the programme was to provide workers with an understanding of the services extended by the Labour Section of the High Commission. She added the Mission would be open on Sundays as Sunday was their day off.
She informed the gathering the Mission was fully committed to assist them in every possible manner and advised them to find employment in Singapore through authorized channels and to register with the High Commission upon arrival in Singapore, to obtain maximum benefits. She stated the practice of transferring from one employer to another would not be permitted in future, unless under exceptional circumstances. She emphasized the Mission would take a transparent approach to solving problems arising between domestic workers and employers and would include discussions with all relevant parties. She added that the Mission would also be working closely with the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore to obtain maximum benefits for Sri Lankan expatriate workers.