The death compensation paid to Sri Lankan migrant workers who die while engaged in overseas employment has been increased to Rs. 2 million, providing enhanced relief to their families.
A total of Rs. 70 million in compensation was presented to the relatives of 50 migrant workers who died while employed overseas at an event held yesterday (10) at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath said the increase in compensation from the previous amount of Rs. 600,000 was a significant relief for Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families. He said increasing the compensation to Rs. 2 million was one of the benefits promised by the present Government to Sri Lankans working overseas.
The Minister noted that around 300,000 Sri Lankans leave the country annually for overseas employment, while approximately 250 workers lose their lives each year due to various unfortunate circumstances. He said programmes are being implemented to reduce such incidents, including awareness programmes on employment-related matters, the laws of respective countries and the mental well-being of migrant workers.
He further noted that Sri Lankan migrant workers contribute nearly USD 8 billion annually to the country through remittances. The Bureau is also implementing several welfare programmes for migrant workers, including a housing loan facility of up to Rs. 10 million through banks at concessionary interest rates, with the Bureau contributing towards part of the interest.
The Minister also said welfare assistance provided to migrant workers includes school equipment and scholarship allowances for their children.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Employment Sugath Yallegama and Prasad Piyasena, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe and General Manager Devapriya Gunasinghe were among those present at the event.
