Emergency legal aid and air passage home for stranded Sri Lankan migrant workers would become a statutory right under new legislation presented to Parliament by MP Faiszer Musthapha, (PC).
The Private Member’s Bill seeks to amend the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act of 1985 by introducing Section 48A in Colombo.
This statutory measure replaces former discretionary administrative relief with mandatory state-funded support for registered overseas workers facing hardship.
Government obligations under the proposed law include financing qualified host-nation legal representation alongside arranging economy class repatriation flights and emergency medical clearances.
Assistance would apply to workers suffering documented physical, psychological, or sexual abuse as well as those trapped in foreign conflicts or natural disasters.
Migrants experiencing illegal contract terminations or enduring unpaid wages for three consecutive months would also qualify for state intervention.
To help workers navigate overseas legal frameworks, the Bill introduces mandatory pre-departure training covering host-country cyber laws, social media regulations, and cultural norms.
Subject to new ministerial regulations and a dedicated review committee, the financial and administrative duties of the government regarding overseas citizens will expand substantially.
The legislative push follows Musthapha’s recent work with the legal team that successfully overturned the death sentence of Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa in Saudi Arabia.
If passed into law, the legislation will establish an unprecedented safety net for hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan citizens employed abroad.
