As we celebrate International Women’s Day, the Cope Committee (Committee on Public Enterprise) of Sri Lanka’s parliament has uncovered some shocking revelations about how the former regime conducted business with recruiters to send women workers overseas for employment. This leadership era was marked by pervasive and systemic corruption, where officials engaged in corrupt practices that undermined public trust. There were
numerous violations of both established laws and ethical standards, leading to a breakdown of legal integrity. Furthermore, regulatory practices were often mismanaged, lacking transparency and fairness, which exacerbated the situation. Overall, this period was characterized by a blatant disregard for human rights, with individuals suffering from abuses that went unchecked and unpunished.
As civil society organisations some of us have worked to safeguard the rights and privileges of women migrant workers through a broad platform called the safe labour migration program for over 15 years. One wonders if these efforts have gone to waste.
Visit Visa Scam
Human trafficking related to labour migration and the exploitation of visit visa travel in the pursuit of employment is, regrettably, a persistent issue in Sri Lanka. Civil society organisations and trade unions have been battling tirelessly against this dark reality, striving to dismantle these heinous scams and safeguard the lives of vulnerable migrant women. Despite their relentless efforts, more often than not, our appeals have fallen on deaf ears, met with empty assurances from officials who claim to be investigating the matter.
Suspicion has lingered, casting a shadow over the very authorities meant to protect us; we have often felt that those perpetuating these scams might be entrenched within the ranks of power, operating from high offices in the government. In this bleak landscape, seeking justice has become a perilous endeavour. There have been moments when we faced intimidation from those in authority, leaving us trapped in fear and uncertainty. Yet, we must also confront the uncomfortable truth that, at times, we have felt compelled to conform to the prevailing governmental narrative on these issues, even as we yearn for a resolution to the suffering that surrounds us.
In the past, Cope Committees have delved into the dark underbelly of malpractice surrounding labour recruitment within our nation. Yet, it appears that their efforts were suffocated beneath the weight of overwhelming political pressure. Evidence has emerged, stark and undeniable, revealing that officials at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, along with ministry agents from the previous administration, were acutely aware of the insidious scams operating within the system.
The current Cope Committee has unveiled a shocking truth: these high-ranking officials, wielding considerable power, have been advancing the interests of a corrupt recruitment industry rather than championing the rights and safety of migrant women. It is nothing short of disgraceful to consider that
the very government body tasked with overseeing labour migration – the SLBFE shamelessly promoted foreign employment through dubious visit visas.
The Committee’s assertion that 6,290 workers were exploited and sold by these unscrupulous recruiters to employers without ever signing labour contracts is a staggering revelation, highlighting a heinous act of human trafficking. The notion that government officials turned a blind eye and even colluded with these criminals is utterly appalling. It is a profound shame that the nation’s regulatory body for foreign employment has descended into the realm of human trafficking.
Moreover, if the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies (ALFEA) purports to uphold ethical recruitment standards, it must shoulder its share of the responsibility. There can be no tolerance for the violators and perpetrators of these grievous acts; they must face justice without exception or favouritism.
Underage Recruitment
In another disclosure from the current Cope Committee, 683 underage girls have been illegally recruited and dispatched abroad as domestic workers between May 2023 and June 2024. Once again, this recruitment has occurred with the awareness of the SLBFE. This situation also constitutes a violation of human trafficking, having deceived innocent girls with misleading information.
We hope that the Cope Committee of the new administration will fulfill their mandate and hold accountable those responsible for these shameful and corrupt actions by state officials and recruitment agents alike.
We must recognise and value that the remittances generated from labour recruitment are essential for the national economy. It is also crucial to understand that the government and the SLBFE bear the responsibility to protect the rights and interests of women labour migrants, and that should be their foremost priority over profit.
Policy
The National Policy and Action Plan on Migration for Employment, in its vision, spells out “a globally competent labour force engaged in decent and productive work that ensures their rights, freedoms, dignity and effective contributions to development.” The vision is to be achieved through its mission of: “Effective governance of migration through collaboration and cooperation with destination countries and key stakeholders to secure migrant worker rights, strengthen and streamline skilled and semi-skilled migration in accordance with decent work standards, and ensure equitable and gender sensitive service delivery, protection and well-being of migrant worker families.”
We insist that the new government uphold the policy and take immediate action on all outstanding issues, particularly the amendments to the SLBFE Act. It is imperative that civil society representation is included in this process, ensuring that migrant workers or their representatives are represented on the Board of Directors of the Bureau.
Based on the investigations, the SLBFE has failed to fulfil its responsibilities as the regulator of labour migration in a responsible and transparent way. These unethical practices need to come to an end immediately. Ethical recruitment practices should be adhered to. Bilateral labour negotiations must be conducted transparently, ensuring the protection of migrant workers. Human trafficking must be
eliminated from the recruitment process. Visit visas should not be promoted. Labour contracts need to be established for every job placement. The SLBFE, along with their labour attaches and consulate staff in the destination countries, must be accountable for their duties. Ultimately, the protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers must be prioritized, regardless of their immigration status.
Community Development Services with the Life Integrators Coalition
News sources
COPE exposes irregularities at SLBFE, 683 underage workers sent abroad – Sri Lanka Mirror, 3rd March 2025 COPE exposes alleged human trafficking by Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau – Daily FT, 1st March 2025
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has raised concerns that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), which was established for regulatory purposes, is operating as a business entity – News Wave, 2 March 2025
Sri Lanka Breaking News – The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has raised concerns that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), which was established …Facebook, 2 March 2025
Signatories
CHRCD Kurunegala, Lanka Plus, Positive Hopes Alliance, ESCO Batticaloa, Dharani Swashakti Foundation Galle, HNRDF Galle, NTUF, Power Foundation Badulla, YMMA Kandy, CMU, Samadana, Stand Up Movement Lanka, Construction Workers Union, National Estate Services Union, Lanka Jathika Estate Workers Union, Susaviya Fund, Pelmadulla, FIRM Vavuniya.