migration of sri lankan women and its effects to the society.

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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.
Migration is the movement of large numbers of people, birds or animals from one
place to another. Simply migration is the movement of people from one place in the world to
another for the purpose of taking up permanent or semi-permanent residence, usually across a
political boundary.
2.
Sri Lanka, the pearl of great Indian Ocean has inherited a glorious and quite proud
history. Our pride gradually declined as a result of foreign invasions ofthe Portuguese, the
Dutch and the British. With the introduction of open economy in 20th century that attitude
dramatically changed where the people became more money orientedin a capitalist society.
3.
Thus, people found new ways of earning money rather than following traditional
ways. Migration of people for foreign employment started in such a background. Women‟s
role of migration started in the early 90‟s when the Sri Lankan women started to migrate to
foreign countries for various kinds of jobs. In earlier stages, it was quite appreciated and
women were motivated for migration but with the course of time, it generated many conflicts.
In this paper we discuss about migration of women and its effects on the Sri Lankan society.
5.
Migration occurs for various reasons such as education, businesses, seeking refugee,
training and employment. But the truth behind the migration of Sri Lankan women is mostly
poverty, low economic status of salary in Sri Lanka.
6.
There are about 214 million estimated international migrants in the world today which
accounts for 3.1% of the global population. The majority of migrant workers, especially those
who migrate to the Middle Eastern countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, U.A.E., Qatar,
Jordan and Lebanon, are women from Asia who come with the expectation of working in
dignified conditions as domestic workers. Out of these, female domestic migrant
workersconstitute a large proportion of today's migrant worker population of Sri Lanka. In
2010 the number of migrant workers was 266,445 (Information Technology Division-Airport
Survey). Out of the total departures for foreign employment, 49.14% were women and
50.86% were male migrant workers in 2010. Out of the total female migrants, about 84%
were housemaids of which 94% were in the Middle East countries.
7.
The increase in female migration is attributed to a number of negative issues. Many of
the sectors demanding female labour overseas have a reputation for high levels of
exploitation, sexual harassment and abuse. Housemaids frequently undergo a wide range of
unexpected hardships before and after their arrival in the country of employment such as
employers' denial of contract terms, unpaid wages, and loss of savings, premature termination
of contract, physical and emotional abuse, sexual harassment, rape, and torture that leads to
disability, even death.
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8.
The participation of women in migration depends on the social roles of women, their
autonomy and capacity to make decisions, their access to resources, and the existing gender
stratification in countries of origin and destination. Gender inequality can be a powerful
factor leading to migration when women have economic, political and social expectations
that cannot be realized in the country of origin. As with any migrant, the migration outcomes
for women vary depending on whether their movement is voluntary or forced, and on
whether their presence in the receiving country is legal or not.
9.
Migration affects not only the migrants themselves but also their family members
even if they remain in the country of their origin. Women remaining behind when their male
relatives (husbands or parents) migrate may find themselves co residing with other male
relatives who may restrict their activities outside the home. In many instances, women left
behind in the country of origin must undertake income generating activities to compensate for
the income lost by the departure of their male relatives if the latter do not send remittances on
a regular basis. Adding financial responsibilities to the other responsibilities thatwomen have,
such as child rearing, can lead to stress but can also provide women the opportunity of
gaining autonomy and experience in decision making. In the societies of destination, gender
relations and hierarchies as well as policies or practices leading to gender inequities condition
the effects of migration for migrant women.
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PROBLEM STATEMENT
10.
International labour migration from Sri Lanka has grown in importance for the last
several decades and the numbers have increased more than tenfold during the same period. In
addition, a large number of temporary migrant workers have traditionally focused on the
unskilled labour market in the Middle East and the other skilled categories on East Asia and
the West. There were a significant number of people who migrated during the conflict
periods in the Northern and Eastern parts of the country under refugee status to Western
countries. People migrate for permanent settlement, for educational purposes abroad, and
tourism purposes, and there are also irregular migrants who are often difficult to monitor.
11.
One of the main problems in terms of numbers that migrate on temporary labouris that
only those who are registered with the SLBFE are reflected in statistics for temporary
migration. These people are mostly unskilled workers, housemaids and semi-skilled workers
primarily focusing the Middle Eastern region for employment. Most of the workers in
professional, middle level and other skilled categories seek job opportunities directly and
migrate under the general emigration laws of the country.
12.
Sri Lanka has been traditionally concentrating on the unskilled workers and the
Housemaids, but the present demand is for more skilled and professional categories of
workers which require internationally recognized qualifications to enter these markets. On the
other hand, in the domestic labour market too, there are significant supply gaps. Evidence
shows that low skilled and unskilled categories of migrants are subject to a high level of
violation of human rights including labour rights, harassment and abuse at the work place
more than skilled professionals. Even though, skilled workers were sent out abroad, there are
also so many problems and complaints reported.
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AIM
13.
The aim of this research is to examine reasons for the migration of Sri Lankan women
and its impacts on the society and the economy. Furthermore, the research attempts to
suggest feasible solutions to mitigate the negative impacts.
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OBJECTIVES
14. The main objective of this research is to analyze the changing role of women in
migration and its effects to the economy of Sri Lanka
15.
The secondary objectives of this research are to:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Identify the importance of women‟s migration.
Analyze the past, present situation and trends of women‟s migration in Sri Lanka.
Examine the optimistic and pessimistic issues of migrating women.
Identify the effects of the migration of women for the economy of Sri Lanka.
Identify the effects on the family and society as a whole.
Identify the controversies experienced by migrating women.
Suggestfeasible solutions to mitigate the negative impacts.
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
16.
Sri Lanka is a country that had a proud tradition and history; it is highly harmful
for our good image in the global arena, with the problems and shameful conflicts which
migrant women are facing in abroad. Those are badly affected to the Sri Lanka society
mainly through their family.
METHODOLOGY
17.
The research is fundamentally based on,
a. Primary sources
Information was collected by interviewing intellectuals from particular authorities, officers
and distributing a questionnaire among the sample of the population who supposed to migrate
and after migration.
b. Secondary sources
Necessary Information was gathered from relevant books, treaties, statutes, scholarly
journals, internet, newspaper articles and periodicals.
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LIMITATIONS
a. Sri Lanka is not the only country which is facing bad effects of women migration.
Many Asian countries face terrible issues because of women migration.
b. Women migration of Sri Lanka is a vast area to study. Because of the availability of
the limited time, the research topic is narrowed down to a limited area.
c. We limit to examine migrant women in the Middle East and European countries.
d. Some numerical data and the statistics which are already included in the research
paper with a star indication are still not finalized.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.
The purpose of the review was to identify, annotate, and synthesize research studies,
projects, and interventions related to trafficking in humanitarian emergency situations in
order to serve as a tool for future planning. Many institutes engaged in research work and
formulating conventions such as International Labor Organization and International
Organization for Migration contributed to define and illustrate the meaning of migration.
Caritas Sri Lanka would like to thank the women migrant returnees and their families in the
studied locations sharing their personal experiences and making their valuable time available.
2.
The ILO Convention on Migration for Employment 1949, (No. 97) in its Article 11,
states: “migrant for employment means a person who migrates from one country to another
with a view to being employed otherwise than on his own account and includes any person
regularly admitted as a migrant for employment.”
3.
International labour migration from Sri Lanka has increased more than tenfold in the
last two decades. Recent estimates suggest that over a million migrants work abroad while
recent annual outflows have averaged about 200,000 persons. Over the years, foreign
employment has generated substantial inflows of remittances and acted as a safety valve for
local unemployment. Overseas migration has opened up employment opportunities for many
women, who may not have been previously active in the local labour force. Since 2007, the
Sri Lankan Government has placed particular emphasis on increasing the migration of skilled
workers and reducing the outflow of low skilled workers (including women workers who are
employed as housemaids).Statistical Reports of SLBFE reveal that the unskilled, poorly
educated women outnumber men and other skilled worker categories that migrated
shouldering a high percentage of inward remittance. Women migrant domestic workers make
up a larger percentage of migrant women. It is a fact that there are many incidences of
harassments faced by such migrant women domestic workers.
4.
This study aimed to determine the causes of migration of women migrant domestic
workers, obtain a deeper understanding of the situation of affected women, assess the status
and nature of post arrival assistance to affected migrants, identify the personal, household and
community assets and opportunities that encourage migrant workers to stay behind their
families.
5.
The majority of migrant women belong to disadvantaged communities where the
traditional livelihoods are not viable. The reasons for migration are noted as being due to lack
of access to regular and substantial income and the inability to bear the rising cost of living.
In addition, some of the major aspirations of the migrant women were to build houses, collect
dowry and to educate their children. Among the specific problems of the women that force
them to migrate are high indebtedness, domestic violence andthe alcohol addiction of
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spouses. Female headed households remain fair segment of the migration population. The
complexity of the present day migration stream has intensified with distinctions between
migrant workers, trainees, tourists, refugees and displaced persons becoming increasingly
blurred. Migrants in this sense include both voluntary migrants and forced migrants. (The
IOM/United Nations World Migration Report 2010 observes)
6.
“Voluntary migrants include people who move abroad for employment, study, family
reunification, or other personal factors. Forced migrants leave their countries to escape
persecution, conflict, repression, natural and human-made disasters, ecological degradation,
or other situations that endanger their lives, freedom or livelihood” (IOM: United Nations
2000).
7.
Further many researchers viewed “women are increasingly significant as national and
international migrants and the range of activities of migrant women workers is extremely
wide due to different skills that they possess.” (Martin, 2004:20, P Wickramasekera 2001)
8.
Information on the impact of migration on marital relationships is doubly important
given reported high rates of marital conflict, divorce and intimate partner violence (IPV) in
newcomer communities (Stein &Dilmaghani, 2002; Krulfeld, 1994; Kulig, 1994; Tang
&Oatley 2002; Naidoo and Davis, 1988).
9.
Migration affects not only the migrants themselves but also their family members
even if they remain in the country of origin. Gender relations and gender hierarchies in both
sending and receiving countries determine the gender-specific impact of migration. Women
remaining behind when their male relatives (husbands or parents) migrate may find
themselves co-residing with other male relatives who may restrict their activities outside the
home. In many instances, women left behind in the country of origin must undertake income
generating activities to compensate for the income lost by the departure of their male relatives
if the latter do not send remittances on a regular basis. Adding financial responsibilities to the
other responsibilities that women have, such as child-rearing, can lead to stress but can also
provide women the opportunity of gaining autonomy and experience in decisionmaking.(Division for the Advancement of Women, Department of Economic and Social
Affairs United Nations 2011)
10.
The new economies of labourmigration and structuralism have contributed to the
understanding of the situation of children and women in left-behind children; however, there
is still a dearth of empirical studies specifically dealing with the issue. New economies of
labourmigrationanalyses focus on the household, although subsuming children and women
under the model of unified household in the migration process. Their concern with
migration‟s impacts is mainly centered on income changes and their consequences in leftbehind houses. Researchers of this school share the view that migration can improve both
household and country income, while leading to development and elimination of disparities.
[World Bank economists share these views (see, de Haan, 2006).]
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11.
This idea is behind Pritchett‟s argument sustaining that migration was to be
considered as the Millennium Development Goals “plan B” (cited by de Haan, 2006).Their
extension to other family members reduces the risks of movement of the migrants‟ relatives.
A number of studies have tested the hypothesis that households send some members abroad
for diversifying income sources and reducing risks, while providing some forms of social
protection. [(Rosenzweig& Stark 1989), Botswana (Lucas & Stark, 1985, Stark &
Lucas1988), Peru (Cox et al. 1998), and in western Mali (Gubert 2002) found that
households sought security through migration (from Hamid, 2007)]
12.
Immigrants who reside in the new country begin to create a new family life, one that
is influenced by both past cultural customs and the ways of the new country,but is also
different from both (Foner 1997; Kibria 1997). Such families exemplify integration or
bicultural adjustment rather than assimilation.
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CHAPTER THREE
REASONS FOR MIGRATION
1.
Migration has become the concern of all in some form or another, and it means
concern rather than simply interest, because the understanding of migration, and how to take
advantage of it, live with it and manage it has not kept pace with the growth of the
phenomenon and the complexity of its linkages with other issues.
2.
Understanding of migration by both policy makers and the general public can make
the difference between migration having a more positive and negative impact on a region,
country or society. Precise and reliable information on international migration trends and the
accurate analysis of key migration issuesare indispensable to the formulation of effective
migration management policies.
3.
The current trends, patterns and changes in migration related sectors such
aslabourmigration, permanent migration, student migration, irregular migration and tourism
for the recent years. The reasons that stimulate people to migrate are numerous and operate in
complex and interactive ways at individual, family and socio economic levels. The
dissemination of information and lower transport costs facilitate increasedlabour mobility and
the creation of transitional communities. Workers move tofind better employment
opportunities and working conditions. While wagedifferentials are an important incentive,
access to higher levels of health andeducation services, more personal security and generally
better quality of life can also be important elements affecting the decision to work abroad.
8.
In our research we found that mainly few reasons for migration such as,
a. to uplift family condition
b. to overcome social issues
c. cultural issues
9.
According to government annual reports, in Sri Lanka 23% of very poor citizens
(whole population), 77% poor people of whole villagers, and 2,100,000 are live with the
support of Samurdhi or Janasaviya.
10.
We interviewed nearly 25 female migrants who are supposed to abroad as domestic
workers to middle east countries, 3 for garment workers, within that 90% of them migrate for
ensure the uplift of family condition and also to ensure their status within the society.
11.
There are many reasons influence for that, such as,
a.
b.
c.
d.
Husband hasn‟t got a permanent job
Husband does not support to the family
Husband is dead or divorced or separated
Mother or father or both of them dead or no anyone to care them
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e. Mother or father or both of them on unwell
f. Brother or sisters on unwell
g. Brother, sister or children‟s higher education
12.
In Dodangoda, Malkanthi is a domestic worker in Kuwait, she went there because her
husband deserts her and baby child.
13.
Athwelthota,Mathugama,Thilaka is a worker of a garment in Cyprus. Her husband
was death because of drunkness, and then she has to abroad for money.
14.
Kalutara, Ranthilaka is a garment worker in Jordan. She went there to take care of her
poor parents and to get ready for her wedding.
15.
Migrant has many goals to fulfill through their live, for that they induce to migrate as
domestic works,
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
16.
To build up a new house
To continue the house works
To provide better education for children or brothers or sisters
To provide a good future for parents or sisters or brothers or both
To build up a good future for herself
But most of them had to face lot of difficulties and inhumane experiences. Such as,
a.
b.
c.
d.
Inhuman treatment from masters
Torture
Rape
Death
17.
There are so many incidents that have been founded by our team related to inhuman
incidentsfaced by migrants.
18.
Within that we selected vary famous case of Rizana‟s incident. In that case, A
younger Muslim girl called RizanaNafeekwho was 12 years old, migrate as a domestic
worker with erroneous document which were supplied by erroneous agents, and also she had
not particular training relating domestic works and she was not fulfill the legal age limit for
migrant as a domestic worker. Ultimately she had to face a terrible occasion because a baby
child was dead by her fault. She was able to hang as a sentence according to Shia Muslim
law.
18.
We selected some cases,
A Tamil lady, 23, in Dhamam, who was founded with nearly 7 iron patches in her body while
she was working as a domestic worker in Saudi.(Lankadeepa-Wednesday,30.11.2011 )
A lady who was in Malsiripura had been tortured by her master in abroad and she became
unwell with so many torturing marks throughout her body.
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19.
When she was return to motherland, most of the time she had to faced terrible
situations in there, such as
a. Husband‟s erratic behavior, addicted to drugs, womanizing, smuggling
b. Aggravate children‟s erratic behavior, started affairs at very young age, abandoned
education, addicted for drugs, raped, abandoned by the guardians
c. Migrant‟s erratic behavior, changes in lifestyle
CASE STUDIES
20.
Only 0.14% Sri Lankan women were migrates under professional category, while
0.65% middle level represented and 4.9% skilled category. So 94% represented the
housemaids and the unskilled categories. Many of these unskilled category subjected to
abuses, harassments, etc.
21.
Because these women named as mother, sister, wife, daughter, in our society we faced
lots of social issues due to their unexpected experience. Under this topic we are analyze data
regarding practical issues of migrant women.
22.
When we take the story of ManohariBawani, she is a mother of two children who
went to Saudi Arabia in June 2003 to work as a housemaid in Damam. The trouble starts
when she had asked for her wages after a lapse of two years. As a result she was hanged
upside down and some chemical put in to her eyes. Her hair was set on fire and her ears were
burnt with a hot iron rod. She couldn‟t communicate with anyone. But anyhow she found her
way back to Sri Lanka.
23.
The case is she has two children to look after. That‟s the main reason for her to
migrate. But now she came with empty hand plus wounded body. So she had put her situation
into a harder step. And also she was badly damaged in physically as well as mentally. It will
take years to recover her back. During those years because of the absence of the mother/wife,
Manohari‟s family may face a lot of social issues.
24.
As
another
example
let‟s
take
the
story
of
WeerawardenaHettiarachchilageIndraniMallikaHettiarachchi, she was kept for 13 years
without even paying.The authorities had admitted her to the Social Affairs Protection Center
in Jazan where she will stay until the sponsor pays her outstanding wages.
25.
Hettiarachchi has two children back home 20 year old son AsankaPradeep who is
handicapped and 19 year old daughter Dilrukshi who has just finished school. Her husband
Sunil Premathilake told, that his family thought Hettiarachchi had died since there had been
no news about her from the Kingdom. And he is very happy to know that she is living and we
want her back home as quickly as possible.
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26.
In this story her family doesn‟t know even whether she is alive or not. She also
migrates because she has 7 years old boy & 6 years old daughter. But the result was family
went 13 years without her presence. The son & the daughter lived without the mother. This
had leaded the family to undergo many social hardships. Their family stepped down to a
harder step with absence of the mother. But she returned after 13 years. She cannot change
the past.
27.
The story of Ummu is also like the same. She had migrated because her husband
haven‟t steady source of income and she has a 4 sons & a daughter. And she wanted to find
the dowry for her.For one month there was silence from Fanon and a little money was sent. In
the second month she phoned to his husband and whispered desperately that they were illtreating her and not paying her. She said that she was not allowed to even touch the
telephone.
28.
In the first week of January, her husband had been surprised to find his wife standing
near the front of their house. At first he could not recognize her. Her face seemed distorted
and there were blood patches below her eyes. Her eyes were red. And she could not walk.
She had to be carried into the house where she had reportedly collapsed with exhaustion and
pain.
“They hardly gave me anything to eat. When the work was done I was locked away in a dark
room. I had to eat out of the garbage can. But I had to do all the work in the house and look
after the children too. The children were very naughty and uncontrollable. I was looking after
the child when the child fell down. I ran out of the house and all the way to the police station
in fear. However the police handed me back to the house. I underwent the most traumatic
experience in my life back in the house. They asked me to keep my hands on the floor and
they hit them with a pole. Then they heated spoons from the electric cooker and put them on
my body. They lashed me with a belt. They said they were going to skin me alive and took
the skin out of my back with repeated lashings which seemed to last forever. The skin of my
whole back up to the hips was taken away. Then they hit me with a chair. This shot on the
back made me lose balance and I fell down and knocked my face. Then they pulled my hair
out about three or five strands at a time,” Fanon speak with some of her teeth broken and
missing, Fanon could not bear the agony and could not stop herself from wailing in pain.
29.
The effects on the society of this story is now their family have to bear up all the
economic issues as previous plus they have to look after injured Fanon. And they have no
other way to find the dowry for their daughter. Likewise this will lead a lot of social issues
for her & to her family.
30.
By all these examples we can clearly identify that many of migrants spoil up their
lives & make new social issues they cannot even think to overcome. This is never to suggest
that the government should intervene in the market mechanism and restrict the emigrants as
housemaids. Initiations could be made to impart the emigrants as housemaids the skills
needed through vocational training.
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31.
This would improve their skills and hence their wages. This will signal the Arabian
countries that the female out-migrants from Sri Lanka as housemaids are no longer cheap
slavery labor; instead professionally trained and highly skilled labor offering their services at
international market rates.
32.
Philippine is the one of country which has highest migration rate. Today, the numbers
of Philippine migrant workers is more than 10 percent of Philippine‟s total population and
remittance income was instrumental in shielding the Philippine economy from the Asian
Financial Crisis and has been fueling more than two thirds of GDP and the country‟s foreign
currency reserves. Of the total migrant workers a little over two fifths are temporary workers
on official contracts, and around one fifth are estimated to have an irregular work status.
Philippines derive its remittance mostly from United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Japan,
Singapore, the United Kingdom, Italy and the United Arab Emirates. One of the major
reasons driving the trend foreign migration for employment is the lower rate of increase in
employment opportunities as compared to the increase in population rate in Philippines. The
strong educational background and relatively inexpensive wage demands make Filipino
workers attractive to the host countries. The large existing network of Filipino diaspora
facilitates the opportunity hunt and job placement for the aspiring migrant workers. (Foreign
Employment For Economic Growth, Samurdhi, The Prosperity Foundation, 2011)
33.
When considering about Bangladesh, on an average the country exports 140,000
people annually and most of the short term migrated people were in semi-skilled and
unskilled category. In early 1990s the growth of short term migration increased dramatically.
The number of global Bangladeshi Diaspora living in developed countries is almost 1.178
million. The most of the Bangladeshi immigrants live in North America and European
countries. The main source of remittance of Bangladesh is migrant workers living in United
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which contributed 39.3% remittance. (Foreign Employment for
Economic Growth, Samurdhi, The Prosperity Foundation, 2011)
TAMIL DIASPORA
34.
It is the one of major sector for critically destruction to the national defense and
changing the image of Sri Lanka within International regime. While going on Tamil Eelam
war they conduct bashful and secret missions against Sri Lanka and simultaneously collect
capital for feeding tiger funds. More than half of women migrators including European
countries, Canada, UK, USA and Middle East countries were contributing to feeding tigers
and create a bad image in worldwide conducting picketing and creating bashful films (Killing
Field) and videos (Channel 4). Now, war is over, but still they try to tarnish our sovereignty
through internet (you tube, face book) and Tamil favorable media (channel 4).
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CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
DEPARTURES FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT BY GENDER 1986-2011*
Departures for Foreign Employment by
Gender 1986-2011*
300,000
No. of Departures
250,000
200,000
MALE
150,000
FEMALE
100,000
TOTAL
50,000
0
Table No 1
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
1.
There has been identified a significant growth of departures for foreign employment
in first six months in 2011, when compared with 2010. Total departures for foreign
employment were 262960 by the second quarter of 2011 and 267704 was the number of
departures in 2010.
2.
The share of females which was 24% for the period of 1986 – 87, it had been
increased to its maximum percentage of 75 in1997 and gradually decreased into 48.33/% in
2011*. In the early stages of the industry the male recruitment was recorded as the highest. It
appears that number of male sector employees predomination than that of female sector in the
year 2010. The highest female departures were recorded in 2010. It was 136660 and by the
second quarter of 2011 it was 135870 which seem to be higher than previous year at the end
of the year.
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3.
The male recruitment was the highest in early stages of the industry and it was
gradually changed into dominancy of female since 1988. After that again the male
recruitment has been gradually increasing from 2001. The migration statistics before 1995
have shown a dearth of migration rates due to unregistered migrations which are not taken to
count. This clearly shows that the sudden boom in 1995 was due to the increase in
documented migration, not due to a sudden improvement of foreign employee industry.
COMPARISON OF HOUSEMAIDS AND OTHER FEMALE MIGRANT WORKERS
2011*
Comparison of Housemaids and other
Female Migrant Workers 2011*
16%
FEAMALE-HOUSEMAID
84%
FEMALE-OTHER
Table No 2
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
4.
The recruitment of all purpose of job categories shows the highest recorded number as
female recruitment during the year 1996 t0 2007 even though the percentage decreases
gradually year by year. During the year 2008 it was changed to male recruitments. During the
year 2009 it has changed again to female recruitment as it records as 51.69% from total
departures. By the end of second quarter of the year 2011 housemaid sector of women
migrates was recorded as 84% from all female migrants while other jobs were recorded as
16%.
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FEMALE DEPARTURES FOR FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT BY MANPOWER LEVELS
1994 - 2011*
140,000
120,000
100,000
80,000
SKILLED
60,000
UNSKILLED
HOUSEMAID
40,000
20,000
2011*
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
1995
1994
0
Table No 3
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
5.
The total number of Sri Lankan departures for all purposes has been increased
gradually from 2006. In the year 2009 it was decreased by 4138. It shows an increase of 7.8
% in foreign employment placements during the year 2009 to 2010. In 2009 it was 247126
and by 2010 it increased up to 266445. Introducing of countersigning of agreements at Sri
Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment centers, pension scheme for migrant workers and
other matters related to development of foreign employment industry seemed to be the
reasons for this growth.
6.
In the year 2011 all recruitment of each category of Professional Level, Middle Level,
Clerical and Related, Skilled, Unskilled Levels showed a significant increase in specific
recruitment. But in Semi-Skilled and Housemaid Level categories there has been seen a slight
decrement in the year 2010.
7.
While considering foreign employment by manpower categories of foreign
employment opportunities, housemaids continued to remain the highest demand among
manpower categories of migrant workers. The share of housemaid, who belong to the lowest
income group increased up to 54% in 2005 and gradually it had been decreased during the
year 2010.
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8.
It is also seen that women have continued to accept overseas jobs as housemaids,
especially in middle east countries due to dearth of employment opportunities at home
country and with an expectation of accumulating significant savings.
9.
According to the annual statistics report of the SLBFE most of the female workers
migrated for the housemaid sector, while all other sectors remain in significant low level. By
2011* it grows near to the percentage in previous year but it has decreased slightly in the year
2011. It clearly shows that housemaid sector is the most preferred area of the female
migrants, not even in present scenario but throughout the history. Most of the issues are
related to this sector as a result of higher number of migrants.
COMPLAINTS BY COUNTRY & GENDER IN YEAR 2011*
4500
4000
3500
3000
2500
2000
MALE
FEMALE
1500
1000
500
0
Table No 4
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
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10.
Most of the complaints are aroused from female migrant sector rather than in male
sector in many countries except few countries such as Qatar, Malaysia. Among these
countries Saudi Arabia took the highest place and Kuwait is in next position. But the number
of complaints received has decreased in the year 2011 when comparing with the complaints
received in the
COMPARISON OF COMPLAINTS FROM FEMALE WORKERS BY COUNTRY
25000
20000
15000
2011*
2010
10000
2009
2008
5000
2007
0
Table No 5
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
11.
When comparing the statistics of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment it is clear
that the number of complaints received from each country have been increased gradually year
by year. Even though the complaints received in the year 2011 are stated here, they are
related only for the complaints received by the end of second quarter. So there is a high
tendency of surpassing the number of complaints by the end of the year 2011. It has become
a timely significant issue in women migration which a sufficient attention of authorities has
not been drawn. There is no use of improving the number of female migrants, when the
numbers of complaints are increasing parallel.
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MISMATCH BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND 2010
1400
1200
1000
800
600
JOB ORDERS
400
DEPARTURE
200
0
Table No 6
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
12.
There is a huge contrast or mismatch between the number of job orders and the
number of departures for those jobs. For instance there were 699 job orders for the
Accountant general post, but only 125 people has been migrated for this post. 1323 job
vacancies were received for Quality – controller and only 34 people were migrated for this
job. Such that it is clear that there is a vast difference between the supply and the demand of
labour in foreign employment industry.
13.
Sri Lanka has reached the step of development where we have observed the evolution
of our society through colonial economy to free economy. Today we became a very recent
development in Sri Lankan which of global phenomenon in developing and under developed
countries. That is migration for employment. This phenomenon has appeared in Sri Lanka
after the world war 11. However it has gathered momentum after 1956. Immediately after
1956 it took the form of brain drain as a result of the Sinhala policy. After the nonaligned
conference in 1976 the Middle East countries have opened their doors for unskilled labor
from Sri Lankan which has become an attractive offer for urban and rural employees.
14.
In here we have to know what the problems are affecting because of this women‟s
migration. We can identify mainly as follows.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Ineptness, no occupation mobility, little career development or progress.
Alienation / transience.
Child neglect.
Violation of human rights.
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15.
In here social and cultural effects of women migration is must thing. As well as we
should follow and we should know about the how to effect of women migration to their
family, their children‟s, their husband, their children‟s education.
SOCIAL AND CULTURAL EFFECT OF WOMEN MIGRANTS
16.
As gender attributes are usually assigned by cultures the migration choices and
constraints for females can vary vastly depending on their socio-cultural origins. One could
argue that in the case of the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand, the high emigration of
women has been possible inter alia because of the greater flexibility in gender roles in those
societies. One survey found that many Philippine and Sri Lankan women tend to take their
own decision to migrate contrary to household strategy theories because they already enjoyed
considerable autonomy and decision-making power within the family, also in regard to
household finances. This may also explain why spousal separation has relatively less of an
impact in those countries than in more patriarchal cultures where women‟s social role is more
strictly prescribed (such as in parts of South Asia and the Middle East).
17.
The more restrictive the role assigned to women in their origin countries, by culture or
religion, the less actual female migration, as witnessed in the Indian state of Kerala, where
the lowest proportions of migrant women were from the Muslim population (compared with
the Syrian and Latin Christians (Zachariah et al, 2001). But such restrictions can also force
women to move, or to use marriage or work offered by recruiters, often clandestine, to escape
such situations. In Tanzania, women have found themselves compelled to migrate either for
work or marriage because they are excluded from land inheritance.
18.
Most women in families migrate to Middle East countries as women migrants. Well it
depends what countries but the largest groups are going into the Middle East. They are from
18-45 that is the average age. They are Tamil and Singhalese but then again it depends on the
countries. If it‟s into Saudi Arabia they tend to be more Muslim and Tamil women and say to
Lebanon and Jordan it is Singhalese. However because of this migration it have effected to so
many areas of the society.
EFFECT TO THE FAMILY
19.
The husbands of these families miss their wives. As well as children miss their
mothers. Then father of those families should take the whole responsibility of the family.
Some of the fathers don‟t like to take this responsibility because of the stress. As a result of
this situation they find some alternative solution for their problems. The easier solution for
their problem is liquor, cigarettes and other drugs. They think that all their problems will be
solved when they take drugs. As a result of this problem, the fathers neglect their
responsibility of the family and children.
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CHILDREN LOSE THEIR MOTHERS
20.
Mother has obtained a significant place in the society. As well as they very closed to
their children even. Sometime mother act as a part of their best friend. The children discuss
all their needs and problems with their mother. Without the mother of the children lose their
whole world. No one can take this part as mother. They lost mother‟s love and her protection
to their lives. Then they go to take this love from another one. It may be an illegal way
consider to our culture. They addicted to go after prostitutes as well as addicted to
homosexual behavior too. On the other hand old men use those children to fulfill their sexual
needs. Finally the future life of those children get destroyed when the mother come back to
home.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
21.
In the case of sexual abuse the women domestic workers face many social barriers
and other constraints in reporting such incidents. The most common form of escape from
situation of abuse and harassment is to run away from the scene of employment and seek
refuge in the Embassy. The opening of a safe house in Kuwait (which provided shelter for
500 women in march 2001) and a shelter in Abu Dhabi to provide a safe haven for runaway
maids, the use of insurance funds for repatriation as well as for compensation payments are
some of the initiatives that have been established by the SLBFE. Awareness programs have
been conducted through the media on the laws and guidelines concerning foreign
employment and services available to migrant workers.
22.
All members of the family should live together. When they live together they can
solve their problems by discussing with each other. Then they can take the most suitable
decisions for the life when mother migrates to abroad to solve their economic problems,
another problems come to their family. Then the husband loses his partner of his life he
cannot share his life and experiences with anyone else.
CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
23.
Many families which mother has gone abroad their children get only primary
education except few of them get chance to take secondary education. On the other hand
those children don‟t have healthy protection as before. Fathers of those families don‟t take
the responsibility of those children. They addicted to bad habits such as liquor, go to the
prostitutes etc. Therefore they can‟t fulfill the children‟s needs. Then those children want to
fulfill their basic needs and started to earn money. They do jobs as robbers and laborers.
Sometimes they can‟t get sufficient money for their work. Some people take work from them
without paying money for their work but only give their meal. Most of time we can hear the
child abuse cases in this situation. As a result those children are deprived of their education as
well as their future life too.
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ECONOMICAL EFFECTS OF WOMEN MIGRANTS
24.
All major studies on migration agree that economic disparities between developing
and developed countries continue to be a key determinant of cross border movements for
poor countries. The increase in female migration has several explanations, among them the
trans-globalization of economies, which has created a labour demand in low paying service
sectors of developed economies. In many developed countries, the combination of
demographic change, growing participation of women in the workforce and reduced social
services for child and aged care has led to a dependency by rich countries on the care offered
by people from poor countries.
25.
As employment opportunities have opened up in such service sectors as domestic
work, nursing and teaching in Europe, North America and parts of Asia, these have become
female migrant niches for women from poorer regions in Africa, Latin America, Southeast,
Central and Eastern Europe and Asia .At the internal level, they have offered an important
opportunity to reduce the risks that subsistence agriculture poses for many poor families.
EXCHANGE EARNING
26.
Foreign exchange earnings show that these employees earned Rs. 382,801 Million in
2009 which was 47.03% of total foreign exchange earnings of Sri Lanka. It‟s very large
source of income for the Government of Sri Lanka. According to Reuters Sri Lanka received
$2.5 billion from workers‟ remittances in 2008 and $3.4 billion in 2009. In 2009 Departures
of workers for foreign employment: 247,119. Female participation was 51.73%, out of total
departures 89% of total female migrant workers that left Sri Lanka went as housemaids. The
number of licensed foreign employment agencies in Sri Lanka increased from 626 to 646,
182 raids on illegal recruiting agencies.
27.
More than 1.7 million Sri Lankans now work abroad, and nearly 600,000 are
housemaid In Saudi Arabia, the most common destination they call Sri Lanka “the country of
housemaids.” Fifteen to 20 percent of the 120,000 (approx.) Sri Lankan women who leave
each year for the Gulf return prematurely, face abuse, nonpayment of salary, or get drawn
into illicit human trafficking schemes or prostitution. Hundreds of housemaids have become
pregnant, often after rapes, producing children who, until Sri Lanka‟s Constitution was
recently amended, were Stateless because their fathers were foreigners.
28.
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, U.A.E. and Jordan were the major labor
receiving countries that have captured over 86% of the Sri Lankan foreign workers. Their
work contracts do not fall under labor laws but under the jurisdiction of immigration
authorities.
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HOW TO PREVENT
ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT
29.
Safe migration for decent work is a strategy than can prevent trafficking and other
rights abuses against migrant workers. Safe migration implies that measures have been taken
to protect oneself at all stages of the migration process. In recent years the government has
taken several measures to promote safe and orderly migration. Legislation has been passed
specifically to improve conditions for migrants and new policies have been introduced to
create more and better opportunities for the migrant workforce. Despite this progress there is
still a need to reach out to girl and young women from rural areas and develop these services
to meet there needs.
30.
The key problems are,
a. Lack of skills to handle modern household gadgets
b. Inability to communicate with the employer in a language understood both by
employer and employee
c. Inability of the migrant worker to integrate herself to the social and cultural
environment of the host country
d. Poor knowledge of the migrants rights and obligations i.e. to herself as well as the
family left behind
e. Poor management of her earnings.
TRAINING
31.
The training by way of a Training of Trainers programmer for SLBFE trainers. This
has yet to be initiated. Male workers are not bound by government statutory provision to
enroll in any training program and depend on work experience to enable them to perform
expected tasks. Atypical job advertisement for men would call for staff/personnel who have
“on the job experience” or “experienced hands”. The requirements of the unskilled women
prospective migrants are different. An SLBFE advertisement for free training courses called
for “untrained lady laborers to protect their foreign employment” with the slogan “our
concern today is your benefit tomorrow”.
32.
On observing the training methods and the setting, at a typical two-week training
program for housemaids, where trainees (35-40) mostly listened to lectures from instructors,
one finds that the word training is a misnomer. The outcome was more an orientation to their
future life and sensitization to six key issues which have proved to be the cause of harassment
at the scene of employment and conflict with the family left behind.
33.
Through the island wide training centers government conducting the training based on
the country they selected to migrate. By this training they were given all the basic training
they want to serve in the specified country, including the language, culture of that country,
labor law, etc.
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34.
The final day of the training named as “Family Day”. That day migrant should bring
her husband if she married, or else her parents. In this day is allocated to improve the
understanding between the migrant & her family and also to teach about venereal disease and
how to prevent from them.
MARKETING SECTION
35.
This is a unit functioning under the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
Through this section government is promoting the Sri Lankan migrant as a care taker rather
than a house maid. Such as Adult care taker, Children caretaker, Patients care taker. For that
they are conducting promotion tours etc.
RATA VIRU ORGANIZATION
36.
This is an organization originated by the SLBFE to uplift the living conditions of the
migrant & her family. By this organization
PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE AGAINST ABUSES
37.
Concerns about protection from abuse at every stage of the migratory process have
led to the government to introduce safeguards prior to departure, at the scene of employment
as well as on return. A number of government agencies have been mobilized for this task
namely the SLBFE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of
Women‟s Affairs, Airport and Aviation Authority and the Department of Immigration and
Emigration. Within the regulatory framework of the SLBFE are schemes to ensure that the
migrant worker is not duped by the recruitment agents as well as schemes such as
compulsory registration, insurance and training and facilities to settle disputes between the
migrant and the employer. As the Table on „Complaints Received by Nature and Sex.
GOVERNMENT APPOINTED LABOUR WELFARE
38.
Government appointed labour attaches in several foreign missions and plans to
appoint 17 welfare officers in all countries where over 25,000 Sri Lankans work, to follow up
complaints or referrals from employment agents. At present 06labour attaches and 13 welfare
officers have been appointed in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Lebanon, Jordan and Singapore. These labour attaches have proved to be effective in
establishing and developing contacts with the Sri Lankan workers in these countries and
provide services to assist exploited, abused and run away workers. However due to financial
and other practical constraints much of their work is confined to workers who establish
contacts with the embassies, whether seeking help or merely establishing contact.
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MIGRANT’S ASSESSMENT
39.
Migrant‟s assessment of government initiatives and suggestions for future
interventions Migrant workers (pre departure, on site and returnee) share similar views and
levels of knowledge on government initiatives. With regard to the payment of registration
fees many migrant workers are unenthusiastic about the payment of the required registration
17 in selected countries more than one officer has been appointed due to the large numbers of
migrant workers.
Ex: - CP-TING project of china
CP-TING project works to prevent girls and young women from being trafficked into
conditions of forced labour or sexual exploitation. To secure a more production future , the
project promotes prolonged education and skills training particular for girls under 16 for year
16-24 the project promotes safe migration for decent work as an accessible alternative to
uninformed and ill prepared migration.
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CHAPTER FIVE
RECOMMENDATIONS
1.
Sri Lanka is a country which already has a huge number of foreign employees. The
increase in female migration in Sri Lanka is attributed to a number of factors. The above
chapters already point out the effects of foreign migration. Following recommendations can
be suggested in order to prevent those negative effects related to the migration of Sri Lankan
women.
a. According to the research we have clearly identified most of the migrant women to be
experiencing a lack of education. Most of the migrant women have to face difficulties
due to lack of language skills or knowledge. At present the training provided for the
female foreign employment migrants is a 15 day training program. The training
program mainly focuses on language, culture, working environment and other basic
factors. However a 15 day training program is not sufficient to teach all the required
and essential skills. Another factor is the capacity of the trainee women. It can be
very difficult for them to grasp everything within a period of 15 days. Therefore it is
better to increase the training period to at least 6 weeks. Further improvements need
to be done in order to ensure migrant women‟s rights and their safety and security.
b. Sri Lanka is a country which has no rigid restrictions about the foreign employment.
But most countries of the Asian region such as India, Pakistan Bangladesh, India,
Indonesia, Philippines have already established restrictions for the foreign migrants.
Only a percentage of 67% of the total migration for foreign employment is moving
through the registered sources and 33% through unregistered sources.Therefore it is
necessary to tackle the unauthorized export of female labour to the Middle East or to
Europe as well as to tackle the pretension and propaganda of false foreign agencies.
c. Most of the foreign migrant women favor migrating to the Middle Eastern countries.
Only a limited number of women visit Europe or western countries for employment.
The reason is lack of education and the restrictions in the European countries. But the
thing is unlike the Middle Eastern countries, most of the western countries have good
working conditions for employees as well as good salaries. It‟s a good solution to the
un-employed graduates in Sri Lanka. The government can draw a policy to send only
those unemployed graduates to the western countries.
d. South Korea, USA, Cyprus, South Africa and Ireland offered professional migration
opportunities earlier.But now those opportunities have declined. It is necessary to
identify the reasons behind that and then government can give the necessary training
for employees on skills, technical knowledge and language competencies to gain such
jobs in those countries where quality of the work life is high. Further relevant
authorities can join with NGOs to address family issues and improve educational
level and vocational skills of migrant women.
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e. A common issue among the migrant women is after arriving at the work place or
employee destination, they lose all communication with their families as well as their
agents and the embassy. So improvingthe communication system among migrant
women, their families, host country‟s agents, employer and the regulatory authorities
is very much important to prevent such incidents.
f. The government can introduce self-employmentopportunities such as sewing,
gardening, aquaculture, handcrafts and soft toy manufacturing. Further, it helps the
women to play their role in the family.
g. The government can promote self-employment opportunities among women
employees who have already been abroad. They have earned the capitalwith which
they have the ability to start self-employment. Government banks can provide loans
with low interest rates or zero interest rates. In the meantime the government can
conduct workshops regarding self-employment with the help of the ministry of
agriculture.
h. The government can establish a controlling body, not in Sri Lanka, but in the
respective countries where our women work. Purpose of this unit is to prevent the
third party involvement in the distribution of migrants. Since the migrantssend to their
respective workplace they should be accommodated in this unit. The government can
allocate Sri Lankan agents to contact our migrant female workers frequently and make
sure of their comfort &security as well as the communication with their families. Also
by this unit we can prevent any misuse of our ladies by third parties, such as selling
them as prostitutes, keeping them by force and torturing them.
i.
The government policies and programs must focus on the following factors.
i.
Bilateral agreement and machinery for the settlement of disputes.
ii.
Migrant welfare and facilities in the sending country and host countries.
iii.
Welfare of families left behind.
iv.
Maximization of remittances and the productive use of remittances.
v.
Skill regulation through training programs.
vi.
Set standards for and to negotiate contracts of employment.
vii.
Enter into agreements with relevant foreign authorities, employers and
employment agencies in order to formalize recruitment agreement.
viii.
Formulate and implement a model contract of employment which ensures fair
wages and standard of employment.
ix.
Examine the authority of documentation issued to Sri Lanka recruits outside
Sri Lanka going abroad for employment.
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CONCLUSION
2.
The meaning of migration is a physical movement by humans from one area to
another, such as from one country to another. It can be for domicile or can be for foreign
employment.
3.
In this syndicate, the main objective is to discuss about the migration of Sri Lankan
women and how it influences the society. In this we have discussed about the reasons for
women‟s migration, how it affects the Sri Lankan economy, the ongoing fact of migrant
workers and how it influences the society.
4.
The woman‟s role in modern Sri Lankan society is spread out through a wide range of
activities. Until the advent of the open economy in1977, she was only responsible for caring
for the children and binding the family together, but with the advent of the open economy in
1977, women also became a source of flowing income to the family.
5.
Among the most of the choices, migration for foreign employment became one of the
most popular choices, due to many reasons. The main reason to select the way of migration is
the ease and high rate of earning money. The women, who live in rural areas and fell in
poverty, choose migration to find quick answers for their economic problems.
6.
More than 20% of these migrant women work abroad in the field of labor and more
than 30% work as housemaids. According to the SLBFE (Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign
Employment) records, most of these migrant women are in a very low educational level.
Therefore they have to select one field among these two fields. This problem of being
uneducated has direct impact on the migration of Sri Lankan women.
7.
One other reason for migration of Sri Lankan women is the ongoing unemployment
problem in Sri Lanka. Women who live in urban areas, without a sufficient income to live
will prefer to migrate for foreign employment than stay at home.
8.
There are both negative and positive sides to this incident. When we consider the
economical side, it affects directly to increase the level of Sri Lankan economy by earning
foreign exchange. But if we consider the cultural side, it might negatively affect the Sri
Lankan culture.
9.
The bad side of this migration is most of these migrants haven‟t had sufficient training
or working experience for a good employment. Some of them are migrating to foreign
countries through illegal ways likeby boat. Therefore they have to work as housemaids,
laborers or do whatever work which is given by their employer.
10.
Nearly 2.1 million of Sri Lankans now work abroad and more than 6,000,000 are
housemaids. We can see this fact most commonly in Saudi Arabia and they introduce Sri
Lanka as „Country of housemaids‟. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, UAE and Jordan
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are the major labor receiving countries that have captured nearly 90% of the Sri Lankan
foreign workers.
11.
Most of these uneducated migrants have to face a lot of difficulties such as
harassments by the employers, they are forced to work beyond their capacity, have to work
without vacations, not receiving the salaries as per the work they have done and many other
difficulties. In the last few years we have seen a lot of examples for these harassments.
12.
But this fact becomes somewhat different if we consider the migration of educated
and experienced workers like technicians, nurses or teachers. They are not facing much
difficulty and most of them return to the motherland with good results. That is a very
important point which we should consider to find the answers for this migration problem.
13.
According to the foreign exchange earnings reports, nearly 50% of the total foreign
exchanges are received through these migrant workers. It is a large advantage to the Sri
Lankan government and it contributes directly to the Sri Lankan economy as a positive effect.
14.
The negative effects of the migration of women are effects to the Sri Lankan culture
and modern society. If a woman leaves the country for foreign employment, it seriously
affects her family. Children can fall into unethical or unlawful behavior without the mother‟s
guidance. The family unit itself can become dysfunctional without the wife and the family
can be broken without the main link between the family members.
15.
On the other hand, when a woman returns after spending a long time in a foreign
country, society is marginalizing her from others. After returning also she might have to face
big difficulties in front of the society. This is the ugly side to the modern society that we can
observe.
16.
This research has been an attempt, on the part this syndicate, to forward suggestions
to counter the „negative effects ofthe migration of women on Sri Lanka‟
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REFERENCES
BOOKS
a. Reports of the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) – 2010/2011*
b. Central Bank Report 2011
WEB SITES
http://peacemediacoop.com/index.php/resources/interviews/11-migration-of-sri-lankanwomen-to-the-middle-east
http://www.thesouthasian.org/archives/2003/female_migration_from_sri_lank.html
http://www.unicef.org/srilanka/overview_1648.htm
http://www.caritaslk.org/index.php/news-stories/119-research-study-on-migration-of-srilankan-women.html
http://www.scribd.com/doc/22596870/6/Sri-Lankan-Women%E2%80%99s-LaborMigration-to-the-Middle-East
http://www.priu.gov.lk/Ministries_2007/Min_foreign_emp_promotion_welfare.html
http://www.gic.gov.lk/gic/index.php?option=com_info&id=1338&task=info&lang=en
http://www.mea.gov.lk/
http://www.wideshaseva.com/home/
OTHERS
a. News papers
b. Leaflets
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ANNEXES
Departures for Foreign Employment by Gender 1986-2011*
YEAR
MALE
FEMALE
TOTAL
1989
8,680
16,044
24,724
1990
15,377
27,248
42,625
1991
21,423
43,560
64,983
1992
34,858
89,636
124,494
1993
32,269
96,807
129,076
1994
16,377
43,791
60,168
1995
46,021
126,468
172,489
1996
43,112
119,464
162,576
1997
37,552
112,731
150,283
1998
53,867
105,949
159,816
1999
63,720
116,015
179,735
2000
59,793
122,395
182,188
2001
59,807
124,200
184,007
2002
70,522
133,251
203,773
2003
74,508
135,338
209,846
2004
80,699
134,010
214,709
2005
93,896
137,394
231,290
2006
90,170
111,778
201,948
2007
103,476
114,983
218,459
2008
128,232
122,267
250,499
2009
119,381
127,745
247,126
2010
136,666
131,038
267,704
2011*
135,870
127,090
262,960
Table No 1
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
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Female Departures for Foreign Employment by Manpower Levels 1994 - 2011*
YEAR
PROFESSIONAL
MIDDLE
CLERICAL
SKILLED
SEMI
SKILLED
1994
18
46
151
5,453
-
2,019
36,104
1995
41
421
506
7,734
-
3,906
113,860
1996
43
309
477
4,867
-
3,289
110,479
1997
39
249
571
8,670
-
3,773
99,429
1998
40
311
842
9,656
-
9,751
85,349
1999
78
423
940
12,852
-
13,659
88,063
2000
38
427
997
12,131
-
9,389
99,413
2001
93
571
1,384
11,501
-
7,801
102,850
2002
184
631
1,635
14,911
-
7,355
108,535
2003
131
2,226
1,437
16,106
-
13,427
102,011
2004
105
1,173
849
11,979
-
9,392
110,512
2005
97
892
754
6,806
-
3,352
125,493
2006
96
758
900
6,326
-
3,987
99,711
2007
68
529
607
6,024
245
5,155
102,355
2008
155
1540
832
5,180
328
6,309
107,923
2009
134
984
842
5,380
361
6,366
113,678
2010
134
903
927
6,433
562
8,946
112,752
2011*
348
675
1189
6948
478
10531
107816
UNSKILLED HOUSEMAID
Table No 2
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
33
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RESTRICTED
Complaints Received by Country & Gender in Year 2008 - 2011*
2008
2009
2010
2011*
Country
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
Saudi Arabia
662
3,534
4,196
1,232
4,565
5,797
1191
5763
6,954
776
3880
4656
U.A.E.
272
549
821
374
598
972
275
706
981
134
430
564
Bahrain
24
143
167
21
172
193
12
352
364
6
192
198
Oman
16
89
105
38
136
174
19
203
222
12
139
151
Kuwait
234
1,820
2,054
259
2,096
2,355
296
2,738
3,034
186
1738
1924
Qatar
418
137
555
440
208
648
685
367
1,052
349
240
589
Jordan
54
950
1,004
38
1,190
1,228
43
1,207
1,250
25
1000
1025
Singapore
-
9
9
1
18
19
-
11
11
-
6
6
Lebanon
3
378
381
6
312
318
5
386
391
11
171
182
Cyprus
3
25
28
11
19
30
8
17
25
10
11
21
Malaysia
59
35
94
32
32
64
116
100
216
132
56
188
Israel
-
-
-
1
7
8
3
8
11
4
1
5
Mauritius
-
-
-
29
9
38
8
12
20
33
46
79
Rumania
-
-
-
41
-
41
4
-
4
7
-
7
South Korea
26
2
28
35
1
36
38
-
38
3
-
3
Maldives
72
2
74
45
3
48
17
1
18
11
1
12
Others
97
46
143
70
21
91
81
32
113
37
47
84
Total
1,940
7,719
9,659
2,673
9,387
12,060
2,801
11,903
14,704
1736
7958
9694
Table No 3
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
34
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RESTRICTED
Departures for Foreign Employment through Self Basis & through Agencies by Sex
1997 - 2011*
Self Basis
Through Agencies
Total
Year
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
Male
Female
Total
1997
10,048
25,185
35,233
27,504
87,546
115,050
37,552
112,731
150,283
1998
18,918
28,335
47,253
34,949
77,614
112,563
53,867
105,949
159,816
1999
29,123
29,985
59,108
34,597
86,030
120,627
63,720
116,015
179,735
2000
27,157
27,416
54,573
32,636
94,979
127,615
59,793
122,395
182,188
2001
26,620
24,920
51,540
33,187
99,280
132,467
59,807
124,200
184,007
2002
28,030
22,769
50,799
42,492
110,482
152,974
70,522
133,251
203,773
2003
32,487
22,662
55,149
42,021
112,676
154,697
74,508
135,338
209,846
2004
34,563
24,000
58,563
46,136
110,010
156,146
80,699
134,010
214,709
2005
40,146
25,437
65,583
53,750
111,957
165,707
93,896
137,394
231,290
2006
36,579
24,192
60,771
53,591
87,586
141,177
90,170
111,778
201,948
2007
45,646
26,298
71,944
57,830
88,685
146,515
103,476
114,983
218,459
2008
59,504
30,022
89,526
68,728
92,245
160,973
128,232
122,267
250,499
2009
59,137
31,422
90,559
60,244
96,323
156,567
119,381
127,745
247,126
2010
73,735
33,274
107,009
63,115
97,383
160,498
136,850
130,657
267,507
2011*
79,806
36,698
116,504
56,064
90,392
146,456
135,870
127,090
262,960
Table No 4
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
35
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RESTRICTED
Departures for Foreign Employment through All Sources by Country & Gender 2007 - 2011*
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Country
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Saudi Arabia
26365
34122
30984
36459
26365
34122
33953
36877
33985
34651
Kuwait
8243
32787
10707
36234
8243
32787
11305
36803
13916
36741
U.A.E.
21389
17631
32719
18455
21389
17631
24933
17377
23662
15538
Lebanon
330
6609
305
4664
330
6609
483
5581
488
4659
Jordan
1482
6958
1242
9120
1482
6958
1701
7724
884
12260
Qatar
34357
4586
33984
5492
34357
4586
45418
9258
43209
9344
Oman
1743
2169
2317
2430
1743
2169
2829
3538
2608
2774
Bahrain
1216
3759
1567
3083
1216
3759
1684
5368
1716
3713
Cyprus
325
2679
482
2347
325
2679
390
2382
332
2704
Maldives
3538
377
3796
432
3538
377
3680
498
3719
478
Singapore
102
845
243
836
102
845
157
885
187
889
South Korea
2565
115
6768
227
2565
115
5143
118
7307
104
Hong Kong
23
293
26
273
23
293
30
276
41
325
Malaysia
739
304
816
477
739
304
1758
1935
1355
1106
Mauritius
182
765
104
253
182
765
96
233
163
198
Egypt
43
148
85
155
43
148
87
197
26
32
Israel
158
671
176
1080
158
671
537
1339
289
1192
Greece
11
50
39
86
11
50
41
70
23
68
Kenya
7
4
1
12
United Kingdom
11
6
14
12
11
6
5
17
5
11
Syria
11
14
32
17
11
14
10
15
6
15
Australia
4
2
33
10
4
2
6
9
6
10
Seychelles
322
4
881
9
322
4
173
1
178
1
Pakistan
33
29
28
19
33
29
17
27
21
36
Ireland
1
2
4
1
2
1
3
2
Italy
15
9
13
15
9
13
2
9
North Yemen
3
7
7
4
3
36
RESTRICTED
1
2
6
RESTRICTED
South Yemen
28
3
22
3
28
3
South Africa
27
1
19
1
27
1
25
1
24
Libya
50
4
231
4
50
4
447
15
27
1
Brunei
3
3
6
5
3
3
11
2
4
8
United States
1
6
5
1
2
2
4
6
91
1
15
3
2
1
4
1
3
3
1
1
3
1
1
749
480
2
Uganda
6
China
1
Thailand
1
Madagascar
3
1
1
1
1
Afghanistan
1
1
70
Algeria
5
1
202
India
14
4
11
Japan
9
Botswana
14
Vietnam
5
Bangladesh
20
1
2
Switzerland
3
5
1
111
2
125
2
3
14
4
69
21
63
22
58
21
9
101
23
92
7
9
3
14
12
1
5
1
1
5
19
20
7
1
3
2
27
2
5
96
7
1
Kyrgyzstan
Djibouti
2
Other
77
29
192
45
77
29
738
45
776
174
Total
103476
114983
128232
122267
103476
114983
136850
130657
135870
127090
Table No 5
*Provisional
Source:
Conciliation & Information Technology Division – SLBFE
37
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RESTRICTED
………………………………….
………………………………
MILITARY DS
MILITARY DS
Maj. HRAJKK BASNAYAKA Rsp
Maj. S SENEVIRATHNA
……………………………..
ACADEMIC DS
Mrs. KKNP RATHNAYAKA
………………………………..
ENGLISH LECTURER
Maj. JPWK ABEWICKRAMA
38
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