Decent work, protection and well-being for migrant workers and their families in Sri Lanka

Primary: Women and men migrant workers and their families of all ethnic groups, relevant Government authorities, vocational training institutes and civil society.

Secondary: Licensed Foreign Employment Agents, private sector (i.e. employers and financial institutions), Trade Unions. 

Outcome 1
The Government of Sri Lanka implements policies securing the rights and protection of migrant workers and their families

Outcome 2
Migrant workers societies and network support their communities and influence policies

Outcome 3
Women and men migrant workers access gender-responsive skills qualification and have increased employability in local and global economies

Erwartete Resultate:  

The new phase will: (1) Capacitate government institutions to effectively implement labour migration policies and overall governance structures in the sector; (2) Mobilise migrant workers societies composed of returning migrants to provide community-support and to speak up for their rights; (3) Increase interest and access for skilled (foreign) employment.

Key outputs:

-    Foreign Employment Ministry’s systems
     and representatives are capable to review,
     coordinate and monitor efficient migration
     related policies.  

-    The Government of Sri Lanka develops
     actionable commitments in labour migartion
     coherent with regional policies and
      frameworks.

-    Women and men migrant workers receive
     peer support from migrant worker societies
     and networks.

-    Migrant workers’ contributions in policy
     dialogue is strengthened at district,
     national and regional level.

-    Women and men migrant workers access
     occupational guidance on skills development
     and (self-) employment.

-    Vocational Training Instructors understand
     (foreign) employer worker requirements
     and Employers are aware of benefits of hiring
     Sri Lankan migrant workers. 

Resultate von früheren Phasen:  

The Sri Lanka Labour Migration Programme has supported the implementation of the National Labour Migration Policy putting particular emphasis on the provision of specialised services for migrant workers at the district level (pre-departure, protection and justice services).

-        Important advances were made in the implementation.
         Yet, complementary government financial provisions and well-trained          human resources are required to ensure full and sustainable policy
         implementation.

-       Returning migrants could play a more active role in service delivery
        and advocacy efforts to strengthen labour migration governance
        policies and systems.   

-       A pilot intervention under Phase 3 connecting migrant workers with
        skills training opportunities has generated interest for replication and
        expansion including for returning migrants.

-      COVID-19 outbreak highlights the Sri Lankan government’s lack of
        preparedness to address migrant workers’ concerns in a crisis situation. 

Main Government counterparts: Foreign Employment Division of Ministry of Skills Development, Labour Relations and Employment

Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. Other relevant state and non-state actors including civil society organisations, trade unions and the recruitment industry.

Decent Work portfolio of the Global Programme Migration and Development such as the South Asia and Middle East regional programme on labour migration, Global Solutions and more.

Synergies are created with regional programmes of the International Labour Organisation and International Organisation for Migration as well as SDC South Cooperation programmes in the region. 

Phase 4 01.09.2020 - 31.08.2024   (Completed)