The Hon. Ravi Karunanayake

¶ 01 Mr. Speaker, under Standing Order 27(2), I direct this to the Minister of Finance.

¶ 02 In 2016, through the Budget process, a minimum monthly wage of USD 300 was fixed for Sri Lankan workers going to the Middle East. However, due to the pandemic and efforts to expand overseas employment opportunities, this minimum wage policy was annulled by the Government on 21 September 2021.

¶ 03 Currently, many Sri Lankans go to the Middle East on unauthorized and illegal wage terms. Meanwhile, countries like Pakistan, Nepal, India, Bangladesh and the Philippines have signed minimum wage agreements with Middle Eastern countries, guaranteeing monthly wages by job category ranging from USD 218 to USD 1,364.

¶ 04 Given the critical contribution of migrant workers to foreign exchange earnings, they should be protected from adverse wage and service conditions.

¶ 05 Accordingly, I request answers to the following:

¶ 06 1. What are the current minimum wages applicable to Sri Lankans working in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait?

¶ 07 2. Has Sri Lanka signed bilateral labour agreements with Middle Eastern countries to ensure fair wages and better service conditions?

¶ 08 3. What measures has the Ministry taken to ensure that Sri Lankan workers receive wages comparable to those paid to workers from Nepal, Bangladesh and the Philippines?

¶ 09 4. What legal measures has the Government taken to prevent Sri Lankan workers from becoming victims of wage fraud, underpayment and contract violations?

¶ 10 Mr. Speaker, we can raise USD 1.2 billion through this, which is why I am asking.

¶ 11 5. Considering that Qatar’s minimum wage is USD 494, will Sri Lankan workers be given this? If not, why?

¶ 12 6. In Saudi Arabia, Filipino domestic workers reportedly receive a minimum wage of USD 384. What is the minimum wage paid to Sri Lankan domestic workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries?

¶ 13 7. How does the Ministry, recruitment agencies and agents monitor wage compliance to prevent wage fraud and underpayment of Sri Lankan workers?

¶ 14 8. Is the Ministry prepared to reintroduce the mandatory minimum wage policy for Sri Lankans going for overseas employment as implemented in 2016? If so, when?

¶ 15 9. Has the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment issued guidelines setting minimum wage standards for recruiters to protect Sri Lankan workers in the Middle East from wage fraud?

¶ 16 10. Given that about 1.7 million Sri Lankans are employed in the Middle East, does the Minister accept that such a policy could bring at least USD 1.5 billion annually to the country?

¶ 17 Thank you, Mr. Speaker.