Housemaids Kuwait Suicide
Over the month of May, 17 migrant workers have attempted or committed suicide in Kuwait according to a survey of newspaper reports from the country; two maids were injured while trying to escape their sponsor’s house. This is an escalation of a trend we’ve been monitoring for quite some time on Migrant-Rights.org. During April, 12 migrant workers attempted or succeeded in ending their lives in Kuwait. During March and the end of February, there were 13 reported cases of suicide and suicide attempt by migrants in the emirate. And during November of 2008 we’ve covered another 13 cases of suicide and attempted suicides by expatriate workers. Workers are often driven to suicide by harsh living and working conditions, abuse and non-payment of wages.
On May 5, an Ethiopian maid suffered severe injuries and fractures after jumping off the second floor from her sponsor’s house in the Abdullah Al-Mubarak area. On the next day, an unidentified security guard (a job generally performed by migrants) at an unknown university attempted suicide by slitting his right wrist. The man was taken to Amiri hospital for medical care. On May 8, a 23-year-old Ethiopian maid jumped out of her sponsor’s house on the second floor in Abu Hulaifa in an attempt to kill herself. The maid sustained several injuries and was taken to the hospital.
On May 14 three suicide attempts by migrant workers were recorded: an Egyptian men attempted to commit suicide by swallowing an unknown chemical. He was admitted to the Mubarak hospital in critical condition. Meanwhile, policemen in the Mubarak al-Kabeer area managed to stop a maid from committing suicide with a knife. On the same day a 25-year-old Filipino worker jumped off the second floor in her sponsor’s house in Fahaheel. The maid asked her sponsor to let her leave her job because she was mistreated by them and received a better job offer. However, the sponsor refused telling the maid that she knew that she’ll be working as a maid, and she should do her job without complaining. The night after the argument the maid left a suicide note and attempted to kill herself.
On May 19, a Nepalese maid (34) ended her life by hanging in her sponsor’s house in Umm Al-Haiman. On the same day, a 36-year-old domestic worker of unknown nationality attempted to kill herself by overdosing on drugs in her sponsor’s house in Rehab. On the next day, May 20, an 34-year-old Indian man committed suicide by hanging in his home in Old Khaitan. On the same day, an Indian woman (36) attempted suicide by setting herself on fire in Khaitan. On the next day, the Arab Times reported that a Sri-Lankan maid in her 40s suffered severe injuries and fractures after she jumped out of her employer’s home in an attempt to abscond. On the same day, a 36-year-old Indian man attempted to end his life by setting himself on fire in Sulaibiya. Still on that day an Asian maid was taken to the Jahra hospital after attempting suicide by setting herself on fire. Not a day later, on May 22, two maids ended their lives in Kuwait. A 30-year-old Indian maid hanged herself to death in her sponsor’s house in Adan, and a Nepalese housemaid committed suicide by hanging in her employer’s residence in Oyoun, Jahra. The next day, May 23, a Sri-Lankan woman (33) attempted suicide by slitting her wrists in her employer’s home in Mubarak al-Kabeer area.
On May 26, an Indian housemaid in her 30s suffered fractured after jumping from her sponsor’s house in Sabah Al-Salem. According to the newspaper report, she was attempting to abscond. On May 30, a Nepalese maid (24) slit her left wrist in her sponsor’s house in Rehab and was taken to the hospital. An Ethiopian man in his 30s hanged himself to death in a farm in Kabad on the same day.
As we’ve noted, domestic workers, the most vulnerable of migrant workers, are excluded from the protection of Kuwait labor laws. Kuwaiti papers, like most regional papers, mention suicides by workers in just a few sentences, never bothering to find out the names of the victims. The reports are hidden in the least-read pages and often hint that the cause of suicide was mental illness of the victim and not abuse she or he suffered at the hand of their sponsor
Monday, June 7, 2010
A Sri Lankan student critically injured and another in custody due to Israel attack
(Lanka-e-News, June 7, 2010, 9.05 AM) Owing to an attack launched by Israel Commandos on a ship carrying medicines to the Palestinians in the Gaza strip and, the taking into custody of 800 individuals, two Sri Lankans too have fallen victims, reports say.
The Sri Lankans are a Law student in Australia, Ahamed Naleeb, 21 years old and his sister 18 year old Thaleem Mariyam, a medical student in Kuwait.
Mariyam had escaped unhurt in the brutal attack of the Israeli commandos. She is now held in the refugee camp of the Israelis. But her brother’s hand and leg have sustained serious gunshot injuries and is now receiving treatment in an Istanbul Hospital.
The grandfather of the victims, Haseem Ibathullah from Beruwala , Sri Lanka has stated , following the shooting of the student , no medical treatment had been given to him for 12 hours. Because of this savage attack by the Israelis on the ship which was carrying aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, 19 persons have died and over 100 have been injured.
Many countries have roundly condemned this attack. Israel says, this attack was in self defense.
lankaenews
The Sri Lankans are a Law student in Australia, Ahamed Naleeb, 21 years old and his sister 18 year old Thaleem Mariyam, a medical student in Kuwait.
Mariyam had escaped unhurt in the brutal attack of the Israeli commandos. She is now held in the refugee camp of the Israelis. But her brother’s hand and leg have sustained serious gunshot injuries and is now receiving treatment in an Istanbul Hospital.
The grandfather of the victims, Haseem Ibathullah from Beruwala , Sri Lanka has stated , following the shooting of the student , no medical treatment had been given to him for 12 hours. Because of this savage attack by the Israelis on the ship which was carrying aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, 19 persons have died and over 100 have been injured.
Many countries have roundly condemned this attack. Israel says, this attack was in self defense.
lankaenews
Saudia offices to charge SR15 service fee for domestic tickets
NATION
By Abdul Aziz Ghazawi
JEDDAH – Saudi Arabian Airlines is to charge a SR15 service fee for domestic tickets issued from Saudia offices and travel agencies.
The move comes into effect from June 15. Tickets obtained through electronic means such as ATMs and the Internet remain charge-free, an official from the airline said.
The official said the move was prompted by the company’s wish to “restructure, diversify and expand” its sales methods by increasing electronic services.
“Saudia has made available direct ticket purchasing online and from ATMs and canceled the fees it previously paid to travel agencies for issuing domestic flight tickets,” the official said. “This will help eliminate some malpractices related to ticket issuance just to obtain the fee, which affected the availability of bookings.” – Okaz/SG
By Abdul Aziz Ghazawi
JEDDAH – Saudi Arabian Airlines is to charge a SR15 service fee for domestic tickets issued from Saudia offices and travel agencies.
The move comes into effect from June 15. Tickets obtained through electronic means such as ATMs and the Internet remain charge-free, an official from the airline said.
The official said the move was prompted by the company’s wish to “restructure, diversify and expand” its sales methods by increasing electronic services.
“Saudia has made available direct ticket purchasing online and from ATMs and canceled the fees it previously paid to travel agencies for issuing domestic flight tickets,” the official said. “This will help eliminate some malpractices related to ticket issuance just to obtain the fee, which affected the availability of bookings.” – Okaz/SG
Ministry tells industry to employ more women
NATION
By Hazim Al-Mutairi
RIYADH – Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, Deputy Minister of Labor, has called on the industrial sector to open up more job opportunities for Saudi women, “particularly in administrative positions”.
Al-Humaid was speaking at the first meeting of the “Saudi Industrial Sector Success Stories” at Riyadh’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday, and noted that the rate of female unemployment had reached 28.4 percent, “some of those with university qualifications”.
The deputy minister called on businessmen at the gathering to put into effect government decisions concerning the creation of more job opportunities for women in the private sector by providing suitable working environments and heeding the customs of society.
“There are many positions available in industry suitable for women, especially in administrative and technical areas,” Al-Humaid said. “And there are many families that depend on their daughters to provide for them, so the industrial sector should give the issue its full attention.”
According to the deputy minister, the unemployment rate in the Kingdom has risen to 10.5 percent, a situation that “requires the obstacles to Saudization to be tackled”.
“We need to work to replace the foreign workforce with the national workforce, according to need,” he said. “We hope that in this respect the ministry’s plan will reduce unemployment and raise the productivity of Saudi workers.”
Al-Humaid added that the ministry did not wish the Saudi worker to be a “burden on the industrial sector” but instead a “profitable investment in human resources”.
“Saudi staff can bring relative advantages to the national economy,” he said.
Ahmed Al-Rajihi, head of the Chamber’s Industrial Committee, spoke of the success of Saudization in the nations’ industry.
“Saudis have become a significant element in various factories for their skills which have made them superior to foreign workers,” Al-Rajihi said. “We are on the right path, as young persons have started turning to the industrial sector since the reasons for their staying away have been addressed.” – Okaz/SG
By Hazim Al-Mutairi
RIYADH – Abdul Wahid Al-Humaid, Deputy Minister of Labor, has called on the industrial sector to open up more job opportunities for Saudi women, “particularly in administrative positions”.
Al-Humaid was speaking at the first meeting of the “Saudi Industrial Sector Success Stories” at Riyadh’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Saturday, and noted that the rate of female unemployment had reached 28.4 percent, “some of those with university qualifications”.
The deputy minister called on businessmen at the gathering to put into effect government decisions concerning the creation of more job opportunities for women in the private sector by providing suitable working environments and heeding the customs of society.
“There are many positions available in industry suitable for women, especially in administrative and technical areas,” Al-Humaid said. “And there are many families that depend on their daughters to provide for them, so the industrial sector should give the issue its full attention.”
According to the deputy minister, the unemployment rate in the Kingdom has risen to 10.5 percent, a situation that “requires the obstacles to Saudization to be tackled”.
“We need to work to replace the foreign workforce with the national workforce, according to need,” he said. “We hope that in this respect the ministry’s plan will reduce unemployment and raise the productivity of Saudi workers.”
Al-Humaid added that the ministry did not wish the Saudi worker to be a “burden on the industrial sector” but instead a “profitable investment in human resources”.
“Saudi staff can bring relative advantages to the national economy,” he said.
Ahmed Al-Rajihi, head of the Chamber’s Industrial Committee, spoke of the success of Saudization in the nations’ industry.
“Saudis have become a significant element in various factories for their skills which have made them superior to foreign workers,” Al-Rajihi said. “We are on the right path, as young persons have started turning to the industrial sector since the reasons for their staying away have been addressed.” – Okaz/SG
Kuwait foreign assets soar to 277 billion dollars
Foreign assets of Kuwait swells at the end of fiscal up from 238 billion dollars year earlier.
KUWAIT CITY - The foreign assets of OPEC member Kuwait swelled to 277 billion dollars at the end of the fiscal year to March 31, up from 238 billion dollars a year earlier, the Al-Jarida newspaper said Friday.
The assets are held in two state-owned funds, the Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) whose assets grew to 220 billion dollars on March 31 up on 196 billion dollars the previous year.
The second fund is the General State Reserve with 57 billion dollars at the end of the last fiscal year up from 42 billion dollars, Al-Jarida said.
Finance Minister Mustafa al-Shamali gave a briefing on Kuwait's financial postion to parliament at a secret session on Thursday and declined to reveal any figures to reporters.
Kuwaiti foreign investments, which were estimated to have soared to a record 300 billion dollars in 2008, were severely affected by the global economic crisis.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its 2009 World Investment Report that Kuwait sovereign wealth fund assets shrank by 94 billion dollars last year due to the economic meltdown.
But KIA categorically denied the report without providing any figures.
By law, 10 percent of Kuwait's total income is transferred into the RFFG every year regardless of whether the budget is in surplus or deficit.
The Gulf state has posted a budget surplus in each of the past 11 fiscal years, amounting to around 140 billion dollars.
In the last fiscal year, the emirate posted a preliminary budget surplus of 28.2 billion dollars.
Kuwait says it sits on 10 percent of global crude reserves and pumps around 2.3 million barrels per day. It has a citizen population of 1.1 million, besides 2.35 million foreign residents.
MIDDLE EAST ONLINE
KUWAIT CITY - The foreign assets of OPEC member Kuwait swelled to 277 billion dollars at the end of the fiscal year to March 31, up from 238 billion dollars a year earlier, the Al-Jarida newspaper said Friday.
The assets are held in two state-owned funds, the Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) whose assets grew to 220 billion dollars on March 31 up on 196 billion dollars the previous year.
The second fund is the General State Reserve with 57 billion dollars at the end of the last fiscal year up from 42 billion dollars, Al-Jarida said.
Finance Minister Mustafa al-Shamali gave a briefing on Kuwait's financial postion to parliament at a secret session on Thursday and declined to reveal any figures to reporters.
Kuwaiti foreign investments, which were estimated to have soared to a record 300 billion dollars in 2008, were severely affected by the global economic crisis.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its 2009 World Investment Report that Kuwait sovereign wealth fund assets shrank by 94 billion dollars last year due to the economic meltdown.
But KIA categorically denied the report without providing any figures.
By law, 10 percent of Kuwait's total income is transferred into the RFFG every year regardless of whether the budget is in surplus or deficit.
The Gulf state has posted a budget surplus in each of the past 11 fiscal years, amounting to around 140 billion dollars.
In the last fiscal year, the emirate posted a preliminary budget surplus of 28.2 billion dollars.
Kuwait says it sits on 10 percent of global crude reserves and pumps around 2.3 million barrels per day. It has a citizen population of 1.1 million, besides 2.35 million foreign residents.
MIDDLE EAST ONLINE
Kuwait foreign assets soar to 277 billion dollars
Foreign assets of Kuwait swells at the end of fiscal up from 238 billion dollars year earlier.
KUWAIT CITY - The foreign assets of OPEC member Kuwait swelled to 277 billion dollars at the end of the fiscal year to March 31, up from 238 billion dollars a year earlier, the Al-Jarida newspaper said Friday.
The assets are held in two state-owned funds, the Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) whose assets grew to 220 billion dollars on March 31 up on 196 billion dollars the previous year.
The second fund is the General State Reserve with 57 billion dollars at the end of the last fiscal year up from 42 billion dollars, Al-Jarida said.
Finance Minister Mustafa al-Shamali gave a briefing on Kuwait's financial postion to parliament at a secret session on Thursday and declined to reveal any figures to reporters.
Kuwaiti foreign investments, which were estimated to have soared to a record 300 billion dollars in 2008, were severely affected by the global economic crisis.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its 2009 World Investment Report that Kuwait sovereign wealth fund assets shrank by 94 billion dollars last year due to the economic meltdown.
But KIA categorically denied the report without providing any figures.
By law, 10 percent of Kuwait's total income is transferred into the RFFG every year regardless of whether the budget is in surplus or deficit.
The Gulf state has posted a budget surplus in each of the past 11 fiscal years, amounting to around 140 billion dollars.
In the last fiscal year, the emirate posted a preliminary budget surplus of 28.2 billion dollars.
Kuwait says it sits on 10 percent of global crude reserves and pumps around 2.3 million barrels per day. It has a citizen population of 1.1 million, besides 2.35 million foreign residents.
MIDDLE EAST ONLINE
KUWAIT CITY - The foreign assets of OPEC member Kuwait swelled to 277 billion dollars at the end of the fiscal year to March 31, up from 238 billion dollars a year earlier, the Al-Jarida newspaper said Friday.
The assets are held in two state-owned funds, the Reserve Fund for Future Generations (RFFG) whose assets grew to 220 billion dollars on March 31 up on 196 billion dollars the previous year.
The second fund is the General State Reserve with 57 billion dollars at the end of the last fiscal year up from 42 billion dollars, Al-Jarida said.
Finance Minister Mustafa al-Shamali gave a briefing on Kuwait's financial postion to parliament at a secret session on Thursday and declined to reveal any figures to reporters.
Kuwaiti foreign investments, which were estimated to have soared to a record 300 billion dollars in 2008, were severely affected by the global economic crisis.
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said in its 2009 World Investment Report that Kuwait sovereign wealth fund assets shrank by 94 billion dollars last year due to the economic meltdown.
But KIA categorically denied the report without providing any figures.
By law, 10 percent of Kuwait's total income is transferred into the RFFG every year regardless of whether the budget is in surplus or deficit.
The Gulf state has posted a budget surplus in each of the past 11 fiscal years, amounting to around 140 billion dollars.
In the last fiscal year, the emirate posted a preliminary budget surplus of 28.2 billion dollars.
Kuwait says it sits on 10 percent of global crude reserves and pumps around 2.3 million barrels per day. It has a citizen population of 1.1 million, besides 2.35 million foreign residents.
MIDDLE EAST ONLINE
MidEast, Asia failing to protect domestic workers
HRW: reforms undertaken by governments fall far short of minimum protections needed.
KUALA LUMPUR - Middle East and Asian nations, which draw millions of foreign domestic workers, have failed to take action to tackle widespread abuse of the vulnerable women despite recent improvements. Human Rights Watch said.
"The reforms undertaken by Middle Eastern and Asian governments fall far short of the minimum protections needed to tackle abuses against migrant domestic workers," the US-based group said in a report launched ahead of International Labour Day on May 1.
The report focused on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Singapore. HRW said that several nations had made improvements but far more must be done.
"In general, reforms have been slow, incremental, and hard-fought," said Nisha Varia, the group's women's rights researcher.
"Jordan deserves credit for including domestic work in their labour law, but enforcement remains a big concern. Singapore has prosecuted physical abuse against domestic workers vigorously, but fails to guarantee them even one day off a week."
Saudi Arabia alone absorbs 1.5 million foreign domestic workers, and there are 196,000 in the tiny city-state of Singapore.
The workers come from Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia and Africa, and their earnings contribute billions to their home countries, often making up a good chunk of those economies.
HRW said the workers are subjected to violence, forced isolation in private homes, excessive working hours with no rest, and unpaid wages for months of hard labour.
"Reforms often encounter stiff resistance both from employers used to having a domestic worker on call around the clock, and labour brokers profiting handsomely off a poorly regulated system," Varia said.
"Governments should make protecting these vulnerable workers a priority."
HRW called on governments to bring domestic workers under the protective umbrella of labour laws, reform repressive immigration laws that contribute to abuse, and ensure police and courts respond to abuse cases.
KUALA LUMPUR - Middle East and Asian nations, which draw millions of foreign domestic workers, have failed to take action to tackle widespread abuse of the vulnerable women despite recent improvements. Human Rights Watch said.
"The reforms undertaken by Middle Eastern and Asian governments fall far short of the minimum protections needed to tackle abuses against migrant domestic workers," the US-based group said in a report launched ahead of International Labour Day on May 1.
The report focused on Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Singapore. HRW said that several nations had made improvements but far more must be done.
"In general, reforms have been slow, incremental, and hard-fought," said Nisha Varia, the group's women's rights researcher.
"Jordan deserves credit for including domestic work in their labour law, but enforcement remains a big concern. Singapore has prosecuted physical abuse against domestic workers vigorously, but fails to guarantee them even one day off a week."
Saudi Arabia alone absorbs 1.5 million foreign domestic workers, and there are 196,000 in the tiny city-state of Singapore.
The workers come from Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and other countries in Asia and Africa, and their earnings contribute billions to their home countries, often making up a good chunk of those economies.
HRW said the workers are subjected to violence, forced isolation in private homes, excessive working hours with no rest, and unpaid wages for months of hard labour.
"Reforms often encounter stiff resistance both from employers used to having a domestic worker on call around the clock, and labour brokers profiting handsomely off a poorly regulated system," Varia said.
"Governments should make protecting these vulnerable workers a priority."
HRW called on governments to bring domestic workers under the protective umbrella of labour laws, reform repressive immigration laws that contribute to abuse, and ensure police and courts respond to abuse cases.
Young Arabs want democracy and more jobs
Survey finds majority of Arabs see 'living in a democratic country' as their first priority.
DUBAI - Young Arabs surveyed in nine Middle Eastern countries said they want greater democracy, affordable housing and more job prospects, according to results released on Sunday.
Between 85 and 99 percent of the 2,000 Arabs said that "living in a democratic country" was their first priority, in a survey conducted by the Dubai-based ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller public relations firm.
The firm questioned 18 to 24 year-olds in the six Arab countries of the Gulf as well as in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon last October, said Karen Hughes, the firm's vice chair and a former US under secretary.
"More than two-thirds of respondents were very concerned about the rising cost of living, while the shortage of affordable housing was their second biggest worry, followed by unemployment," she told a news conference.
"Increased public participation was seen as either 'very important' or 'somewhat important' by the vast majority of young people across all the countries surveyed.
The tally varied from 85 percent in Oman to 99 percent in Kuwait, the PR firm said.
DUBAI - Young Arabs surveyed in nine Middle Eastern countries said they want greater democracy, affordable housing and more job prospects, according to results released on Sunday.
Between 85 and 99 percent of the 2,000 Arabs said that "living in a democratic country" was their first priority, in a survey conducted by the Dubai-based ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller public relations firm.
The firm questioned 18 to 24 year-olds in the six Arab countries of the Gulf as well as in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon last October, said Karen Hughes, the firm's vice chair and a former US under secretary.
"More than two-thirds of respondents were very concerned about the rising cost of living, while the shortage of affordable housing was their second biggest worry, followed by unemployment," she told a news conference.
"Increased public participation was seen as either 'very important' or 'somewhat important' by the vast majority of young people across all the countries surveyed.
The tally varied from 85 percent in Oman to 99 percent in Kuwait, the PR firm said.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Over 100 Sri Lankan expatriate workers to be brought back home
ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka .
May 29, Colombo : The Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait will send home 107 Sri Lankan expatriate workers under a special programme.
Most of these expatriates are housemaids who have faced issues in the workplace.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador in Kuwait , Sajith Disanayaka, says half of these workers were marooned in Kuwait after losing jobs following salary issues. The employers had lodged complaints against some of them over charges such as thefts. In such instances, the workers are deported with no prospects of returning to the country.
All these workers are sent directly to Sri Lanka , the Ambassador says. There are 125 more Sri Lankan expatriate workers with similar experiences and they are also being sent home soon. Meanwhile, their cases are being investigated.
May 29, Colombo : The Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait will send home 107 Sri Lankan expatriate workers under a special programme.
Most of these expatriates are housemaids who have faced issues in the workplace.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador in Kuwait , Sajith Disanayaka, says half of these workers were marooned in Kuwait after losing jobs following salary issues. The employers had lodged complaints against some of them over charges such as thefts. In such instances, the workers are deported with no prospects of returning to the country.
All these workers are sent directly to Sri Lanka , the Ambassador says. There are 125 more Sri Lankan expatriate workers with similar experiences and they are also being sent home soon. Meanwhile, their cases are being investigated.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Male migrant workers out number females
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.
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.
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
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