Sri Lankan migrant workers return to Lebanon

“For new employers we are insisting that domestic workers get a minimum wage of US$130 per month as against US$100 given earlier.

Sri Lankan migrant workers who fled Lebanon during the recent conflict – some with and without their passports – want to return to their former jobs in the war-torn, currently-at-peace country.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said that so far 50 workers have returned to their jobs with others planning to return as well.

Bureau Deputy Director General L.K. Ruhunage said more than 6,200 Sri Lankan workers were evacuated from Lebanon after hostilities broke out in May. “For new employers we are insisting that domestic workers get a minimum wage of US$130 per month as against US$100 given earlier. Local job agents should ensure domestic workers get this minimum wage,” he said.

He said 50 percent of the returnees left Lebanon without their passports because they fled their workplaces as bombs were falling around. Preparations are underway for new visas and passports to be issued for those (without these documents) returning to their old jobs.

The Bureau has also selected 100 returnees from Lebanon for similar jobs in Singapore. A team of Singapore recruiters was in Colombo three weeks back to conduct job interviews.