COLOMBO: Sri Lanka missions in the Middle East have reported that the welfare measures for migrant workers in the Middle East have received an added boost, following the decision by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to make available resources from the Workers’ Welfare Fund, originally entitled only to those registered with the Bureau, to all migrant workers irrespective of their registration status, through units within Sri Lanka missions abroad in 16 stations. This is in addition to funds already allocated by the Foreign Ministry and services provided by the missions in collaboration with local Sri Lankan associations and religious establishments across the world in 67 cities.
The Foreign Ministry has also sought an additional allocation from the Treasury to meet the increasing needs of all overseas Sri Lankans, presently amidst the COVID-19 outbreak, to increase the efforts of distribution of dry rations. This is to help overcome immediate difficulties experienced by the migrants who are unable to return to Sri Lanka, in view of the present closure of the airports in Sri Lanka for arrivals, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These measures were the focus of a video conference held on Wednesday (15 April) chaired by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha and attended by senior officials overseeing the Middle East region with the Ambassadors of Sri Lanka Missions and Consulates in the Middle East. Generic issues and other aspects of the present crisis, were also discussed during the meeting. Heads of mission and SLBFE heads of unit in Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Iran and Israel participated in the discussion. Earlier, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, Dinesh Gunawardena met with the respective Secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, as well as senior officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, where policy changes were discussed to address issues relating to migrant workers, particularly in the context of the ramifications emanating from the present coronavirus pandemic. Minister Gunawardena referring to approximately over 1 million Sri Lankan migrant workers, who are employed largely in the Middle East, South East Asia, East Asia, Europe, and Africa regions stated that the interests of these Sri Lankans need to be looked into by the two Ministries. This was followed by a meeting of the SLBFE Board of Members, where the proposed changes were formally endorsed.
Special emphasis was placed to address the consequences resulting from the increasing cases of unemployment, loss of contracts, non-extension of work permits, and halting of temporary freelance work, which have left sections of these workers in need of urgent assistance to maintain their basic living conditions and also to ensure that their families back home are assisted where possible. Taking note of the need to diplomatically and politically engage countries which have already declared an amnesty, permitting the workers to leave, the Ministry instructed the Sri Lanka missions to commence negotiations with local authorities and respective Labour Ministries to reach possible settlements in legalizing the status of unregistered workers and also to find amicable solutions to various disputes that have arisen due to violation of contract agreements, loss of employment and legal status.
The Missions also reported to the Ministry that in the case of those Sri Lankans who reach out for medical assistance on account of being suspected or having contracted the COVID-19, immediate measures are being taken to direct them to the local hospitals providing medical facilities and thereafter to be constantly monitored by the Embassy officials.
The video conference also discussed the support extended by multilateral organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Red Crescent Society, in some countries in the distribution of food rations to needy Sri Lankans, and assistance for the provision of medical advice and consultation extended to Sri Lankans through community volunteers specialised in this field. Appreciating this support and the need for continued assistance, the Ministry has made representations seeking additional support to all Sri Lanka Missions to the IOM and International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) Headquarters in Geneva through the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission in Geneva and their Heads of Agency in Sri Lanka.
The establishment of databases to gather information on the Sri Lankans in each country set up by the Missions has facilitated compilation of data on/about the Sri Lankan workforce, which is presently shared with the Ministry. In addition, the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ online portal launched by the Foreign Ministry and widely circulated among the communities overseas, presently serves as an ideal platform for information sharing and engagement with the Ministry and the Missions particularly at this time of crisis. As of 15 April, 21,575 of the 59,419 who have registered on the portal are resident in the Middle East region.
The Foreign Ministry has instructed all Missions to continue maintaining the 24-hour emergency hotlines and to deploy Embassy staff on a continuous duty roster to attend to the daily needs and queries of the Sri Lankan communities in these respective stations.
Sri Lanka Missions in South Asia work towards ensuring safety of Sri Lankan expatriates in the region
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Missions in South Asia, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, have been closely engaging with the Sri Lankan communities overseas and are working towards assisting and facilitating the many Sri Lankan expatriates in the region in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic. Mission wise, databases of Sri Lankan students and other expatriates are being compiled by the Missions with a view to keeping in close contact and ensuring their welfare at all times.
The Government of Sri Lanka with its recent announcement requesting all Sri Lankan expatriates to remain in their current locations until the risk of COVID-19 is minimized, has further assured that requests for return of Sri Lankans will be considered once the spread of the virus is contained in the country.
The Sri Lanka Missions in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kathmandu, Islamabad, Dhaka, Kabul and Malé have established ‘hotlines’ and social media groups and have been networking with Sri Lankans overseas and community organizations and representatives assisting them to stay in their current locations in a safe environment, in compliance with local regulations and also to ensure that those Sri Lankans in different locations have access to food and other necessities.
Missions have also been coordinating and discussing with the respective authorities and have also intervened and sought clearances for visa extensions, as required. Certain Missions have also been liaising with local health authorities in preparing COVID-I9 awareness messages in Sinhala language for circulation of messages to the community via mobile devices. With forecasted lockdowns in certain stations, these Missions have taken necessary steps to set up sub-offices at the residences of Diplomatic Staff, to work from home and continue the services to the community.
To ensure that the large numbers of Sri Lankan students enrolled in universities in these countries have continued access to hostel, canteen and medical facilities, the Sri Lanka Missions have been liaising with the respective academic institutions and continue to maintain constant dialogue with student groups. The Missions have also been in discussion with University Vice Chancellors, Registrars, Deans and other educational institutions to facilitate students by rescheduling their vacations and exams. Discussions are also being held in ensuring the stipends reach the scholars uninterrupted.
From a regional perspective, in its efforts to combat COVID-19, SAARC leaders recently agreed on the establishment of the SAARC COVID-19 Emergency Fund with voluntary contributions of the member countries, which includes Sri Lanka’s pledge of US$ 5 million.
Further, in strengthening Sri Lanka’s medical services and to ensure the uninterrupted supply of medicine and preparedness in view of the current public health emergency, the Foreign Ministry has already bilaterally sought the support and assistance from South Asian countries to assist in obtaining pharmaceutical items and medical equipment on a G-to-G purchasing scheme, considering the present emergency situation.
As an additional measure enabling the Government of Sri Lanka to reach out worldwide and provide assistance during emergencies such as the COVID19 outbreak, the Foreign Ministry has invited all Lankans overseas to register on the recently launched online web portal “Contact Sri Lanka” jointly developed by the Foreign Ministry and Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA).
Consul General Melbourne says students in Australia are safe and short term visa holders may apply for visa extensions
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne, along with the Sri Lankan community organizations and well-wishers in Melbourne, is providing necessary assistance to the Sri Lankans affected in Melbourne by the current situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Home to a large number of Sri Lankans in Australia, Melbourne is one of the favorite destinations for Sri Lankans including students. There are nearly ten thousand Sri Lankan students in higher education institutes in Melbourne.
The Consulate General has introduced a twenty-four-hour hotline and joined hands with the Sri Lankan associations, community leaders and well-wishers to assist the students and other Sri Lankans who are faced with difficulties, in Melbourne and the rest of Victoria as well as the Australian States of South Australia and Tasmania. Sri Lankan students who are short of income due to the closure of work places are provided with essential living assistance mainly by way of dry rations and also cooked food. However, this assistance is unimaginable by the Consulate General alone with its limited staff, if not for the exceptional exertion of support by the community associations and the members of the community, at this hour of need. A noteworthy instance is the close watch and assistance till recovery, by the Consulate General and the community, to the Sri Lankan student in Melbourne who contracted the COVID-19 virus.
The Consulate General has also taken action to provide updated information through its website and social media pages, as well as through community media stations, relating to issues that are faced by the students and Sri Lankans stranded in Australia. This includes the information on visa regulations, special arrangements on tenancy of accommodations as well as information on special financial assistance measures that are introduced by the Australian authorities. The Australian government has introduced a range of new measures and regulations and implemented them through state governments, local authorities and education institutes.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has introduced new visa regulations, including the introduction of ‘no further stay’ condition waiver that is particularly important for short term visa holders whose visas will expire shortly.
The Australian government has also announced new regulations to avoid eviction of tenants from rented accommodation for a period of six months, which help particularly students with difficulties in payment of rents. International students who are seeking advice on their rights as tenants are guided through to the relevant State / Territory authority.
There are regulations also in place increasing the number of hours that student visa holders are allowed to work up to 40 hours and allowing access to Australian superannuation, a fund similar to a pension fund, for those who have been employed in Australia longer than 12 months. International students working in aged care and as nurses as well as in the major supermarkets have had the working hours extended.
The Australian Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment has reassured on the assistance provided to international students directly and indirectly by the Federal Government and Australian Education Providers, by way of a letter addressed to the Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Canberra, this week. Some Australian universities have already introduced special funds to assist international students who are facing financial difficulties, with fee assistance, other grants or changes to tuition requirements and critical dates. The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has recommended international students to contact their education provider for assistance and information regarding their studies.
The Sri Lanka Consulate General in Melbourne coordinates its assistance to the distressed Sri Lankan students and short term visa holders in consultation with the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra.
