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Govt. urged to ratify ILO Convention to protect migrant domestic workers who contribute much to country’s economy
Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, has urged the government to ratify “ILO Convention No. 189 in order to better protect and safeguard the rights and interests of domestic workers, who make a substantial contribution to the economy of Sri Lanka, especially through foreign remittances”
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus issuing a press release in Celebration of the ‘International Migrants Day’ states:
History has shown time and time again that migrants play an important role in shaping and transforming landscapes of countries through various contributions ranging from knowledge, skills and networks in order to build more resilient societies.
This year, on the 18th of December, we celebrated the International Migrants Day under the theme ‘Harnessing the potential of human mobility’. This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the International Organisation for Migrations (as renamed in the year 1989), which was founded with the original intention of assisting those who were displaced by the Second World War, but went on to and continues to lead the way in promoting humane and orderly management of migration in not only countries of destination but also that of origin and transit. A milestone that warrants celebration.
Each year, due to various factors resulting from increased magnitude and frequency of natural disasters, economic challenges, poverty and conflict, more and more people either voluntarily become, or are forced to become, international migrants. For example, in the year 2020 alone, almost 281 million people were International Migrants who represent 3.6 of the global population.
“Therefore, it is vital to take note of the increasing trends in out-migration and take steps to develop policies and strategies in order to harness the maximum contribution of migration to the economy of the country while safeguarding and protecting the rights and interests of the migrants as well”, said State Minister of COVID19 control, Primary Healthcare and Epidemics and the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle.
The most common form of migration in Sri Lanka in particular is international labour migration which has been on the rise during the last three decades. Estimates suggest that generally around 1.5 million Sri Lankan migrants work abroad while the annual reported outflows average around 200,000 persons per year.
“This day is of special interest to the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus in particular as statistics show that generally around 47.7% of the labour migrants of Sri Lanka are women”, added Dr. Fernandopulle.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting the global economy and human movement since early 2020, the statistics pertaining to migration, labour migration in particular, has altered during the last two years.
“In August, the Government, with the support of the International Organization for Migration and the Australian Government, undertook measures to repatriate a group of Sri Lankan migrant workers from Kuwait”, said Dr Fernandopulle.
With the mobility of people being affected and more labour migrants returning home from destination countries, Sri Lanka is developing strategies to reintegrate and re-socialize by harnessing the skills obtained by such individuals from working abroad for the country’s economic benefit, especially in some identified sectors for economic recovery such as in the fields of tourism and Ayurveda medicine.
She remarked, “For the year 2022, Rs. 150 million has been allocated in the budget for the Safe and Regular Labour Migration Programs. We are mindful of the fact that these centers should also be duly monitored ensuring that human rights-based practices are followed”. Furthermore, focusing on one of the most vulnerable stages in the migration process, providing better pre-departure training to labour migrants and also to implementing agencies would be prioritized in the coming year.
In 2018, less-skilled and domestic worker categories represented 55.2% of the total departures for foreign employment from Sri Lanka, as per the statistics obtained from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
“In special consideration of this fact, the Women’s Caucus has initiated discussions with the Government for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 189 in order better protect and safeguard the rights and interests of domestic workers, who make a substantial contribution to the economy of Sri Lanka, especially through foreign remitances”, said Dr Fernandopulle.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
