Untitled Document

Front Page

Plans to evacuate migrant workers in West Asia
The Sri Lankan government is working in consultation with West Asian countries to map out plans for protecting and evacuating our migrant workers in the event of a possible US attack on the region.

We will have to go along with what each country proposes, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Chairman Susantha Fernando said, adding, "Both the Kuwaiti and Saudi Arabian governments are looking at it very carefully."

In the event that we have to fly back our workers Mr. Fernando said we would be discussing with other international organisations such as the ILO which would help us in those areas.

On Wednesday the SLBFE despatched a two member delegation to West Asia to prepare contingency plans to ensure the safety of Sri Lankan migrant workers, as tension rose in relations between the United States and the Arab world.

The delegation comprising Working Director H.A. Wimalasooriya and Deputy General Manager (Foreign Relations), L.K. Ruhunuge kept in touch with SLBFE Chief Fernando briefing him on the Sri Lankan worker population in the countries under threat.

Fernando said his delegation was joined by the Consul General in Dubai, Bandula Somasiri and together they worked out what needs to be done.

Meanwhile, a meeting had been called by the Kuwaiti Government to brief all the ambassadors of labour supplying countries, on the current situation.

When Kuwait was attacked by Iraq in 1991, the resultant Gulf crisis saw approximately 96,000 Sri Lankans working in West Asia lose their employment opportunities.

Back to Front Page