‘Comprehensive plan should be set up for COVID affected Migrant Workers’
The Government has to launch a comprehensive plan of action to enable those migrant workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic to regain their lost employments, said several civil society organisations involved in affairs related to migrant workers in a statement to coincide with the International Migrants’ Day.
The joint statement was issued by the Action Network for Migrant Works (ACTFORM), Lawyers Beyond Borders - Sri Lanka (LBB), National Workers’ Congress (NWC), Migrant Services Centre (MSC) and Women and Media Collective (WMC).
Excerpts of the Statement:
“The United Nations Organization declared December 18 every year as the International Migrants’ Day in 2000. The 22nd International Migrants’ Day is celebrated in 2021 by acknowledging the contribution by the migrant workers towards the economic prosperity of a country. The United Nations emphasizes that rights of the migrant workers should be considered as human rights, too.
“Foreign exchange sent to the country in the form of remittances by the migrant workers contributes immensely to build the economy of Sri Lanka. It was close to US $ seven billion last year. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to play a significant role in making their lives safe and ensuring a steady future for them.
“Both in 2000 and 2021 we have had to celebrate the International Migrants Day amidst catastrophes that swept across their lives. At a time when the world population is affected both economically and socially owing to COVID-19, loss of employment to migrant workers is a huge blow not only to them but also to the country.
“The Government’s efforts to bring the migrant workers back to the country since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020 should be applauded. But we also emphasise that it is the responsibility of the Government to reintegrate them into society and reinvigorate their economy.
“The economic condition of the migrant workers who returned to the country after cancelling their employment contracts or with no salary or low salary, is appalling. Most of the migrant workers had migrated in search of a solution to poverty, which they were victims of, for a long time. But as building an economy which is scant enough to eke out a living is only a dream, their lives have become even worse, in the face of the pandemic.
“The situation of those who had some luck to return to Sri Lanka was made even worse by having to spread their earnings at the quarantine centres. Also, the migrant workers who used to be called Rata Wiruwo (Overseas Heroes) faced yet another nightmare when people who contracted COVID-19 were marginalised during the first and the second waves.
“Even though certain welfare measures have been arranged for the families of persons who died of COVID, it is regrettable that no step has so far been taken to protect the lives of the members of those families.
“At this time of the third wave of COVID-19, we urge the Government authorities to consider the following recommendations and taken tangible steps to implement them to relieve the migrant workers who have returned to the country and are still languishing in foreign countries, of the trauma they are suffering from and protect their rights on this day when we celebrate the International Migrants’ Day. They are:
“Monitoring the present situation of the migrant workers and their families by appointing a committee of responsible high ranking officials within the State machinery including all Ministries and Departments associated with the foreign employment field.
“Formulating a methodology in co-ordination with the Diplomatic missions of the relevant countries to update the employment contracts of the workers who returned to Sri Lanka, if they have not lapsed.
“Taking immediate steps to reinstate the workers who have been denied of their jobs and are lost overseas after contracting COVID-19 or not, by engaging in dialogues with those countries.
“A counseling programme should be implemented without delay to reintegrate the women workers who have not been able to re-migrate and are in a miserable situation, into society and rebuild their broken mentality.
“Implementing the proposal contained in the 2020 Budget of introducing a pension to the migrant workers, expeditiously.
“Making the necessary legal reforms to give effect to the conventions ratified in relation to migrant workers, by local laws.
“Establishing Divisional Committees comprising voluntary organisations, civil society organisations, women’s organisations, Human Rights organisations, trade unions and with a representation of public officials from the grassroots level to protect the future of the migrant workers and their children.
“The Presidential Task Force established in 2020, should discuss the problems faced by the Sri Lankan migrant workers in a broad manner and identify short, medium and long term solutions to them.”
source https://www.dailynews.lk/2021/12/20/local/267867/%E2%80%98comprehensive-plan-should-be-set-covid-affected-migrant-workers%E2%80%99
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