COLOMBO : The Government will soon present a new Foreign Employment Bill to Parliament to strengthen the rights, protection and welfare of Sri Lankan migrant workers, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath announced during a parliamentary debate yesterday (8).
The Minister said the new legislation aims to address shortcomings in the existing legal framework. He added that preliminary work is also underway to introduce overseas voting rights for Sri Lankans living abroad and a contributory pension scheme for migrant workers. He also highlighted the introduction of the Lanka Konnect website and mobile application, enabling Sri Lankans overseas to submit complaints and access services from anywhere in the world.
Minister Herath stated that illegal recruitment agency practices and bribery have been brought under strict control through a dedicated investigation unit, including officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He further noted that compensation for Sri Lankan workers who die while employed overseas has been increased from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 2 million.
Speaking on the country’s economic performance, the Minister said Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever annual foreign remittances of USD 8 billion during the Government’s first year in office. He added that USD 4.75 billion in remittances had already been received during the first six months of 2026.
The Minister also announced plans to establish a new training centre for youth in the Northern Province and said new employment opportunities have been created through agreements with Japan for truck drivers, construction workers and graduates. He further noted that issues relating to the recognition of Sri Lankan driving licences in Italy have been resolved.
Warning the public against recruitment scams, Minister Herath said private agencies recruiting workers for Israel are permitted to charge no more than twice the worker’s monthly salary as a service fee, urging job seekers not to pay fraudsters demanding Rs. 4–4.5 million.
He stressed that the Government remains committed to protecting the dignity and rights of Sri Lankan migrant workers, whose remittances continue to play a vital role in supporting the country’s economic recovery.
