The Hon. Arun Hemachandra - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Minister, I table the answer.

¶ 02 (a) (i) Registrations of housemaids by year with SLBFE: - 2015: 74,316 - 2016: 66,480 - 2017: 57,518 - 2018: 63,582 - 2019: 16,008 - 2020: 31,354 - 2021: 97,089 - 2022: 100,879 - 2023: 100,879 - 2024: 93,683 - 2025: 86,080 - 2026 (up to 03.30): 14,219 Total: 767,809

¶ 03 (ii) Country-wise statistics are provided in Annex 1 (2015–2025).

¶ 04 (iii) Worker data are entered into the SLBFE computerized system at the time of registration.

¶ 05 (iv) Deaths among housemaids (2015–2026): Annex II provides annual totals; Annex III provides cause-wise breakdown (accident, road accident, natural, suicide, homicide, others, COVID-19). For example: - 2015: 90 - 2016: 81 - 2017: 87 - 2018: 54 - 2019: 67 - 2020: 42 - 2021: 124 - 2022: 92 - 2023: 108 - 2024: 10 - 2025: 94 - 2026 (to date): 4

¶ 06 (v) SLBFE welfare measures include: 1. Free insurance cover for all registered migrant workers; premiums fully paid by SLBFE. An optional enhanced cover is available on worker’s request with an additional premium (e.g., approx. Rs. 935.66 for 2-year contracts; Rs. 1,087.38 for 3-year contracts). Benefits include: - Death due to serious illness/accident abroad within registration validity: Rs. 250,000 (basic) or Rs. 500,000 (enhanced). - Permanent or partial disability due to accident abroad: up to Rs. 500,000 (basic) or Rs. 600,000 (enhanced); post-return medical expenses: up to Rs. 50,000 (basic) or Rs. 150,000 (enhanced). 2. School supplies kit worth Rs. 10,000 for children of migrant workers abroad and for returnees within 5 years (subject to SLBFE registration and school principal’s certification). 3. Scholarships for children of migrant workers: - 5-year scholarship: Rs. 25,000 - GCE (O/L): Rs. 30,000 - GCE (A/L): Rs. 40,000 Eligibility includes SLBFE registration of parent within 5 years of the exam date; applications via notices, social media, schools, Divisional Secretariats (Foreign Employment Development Officers), and SLBFE website; meeting district cut-off marks and exam progression criteria. 4. Concessionary loans for registered migrants under multi-loan schemes (up to Rs. 2 million at 8% interest). 5. From the Workers’ Welfare Fund, for those not covered by insurance due to various reasons: medical assistance up to Rs. 150,000 and Rs. 300,000 in case of death, as per committee decision. 6. Entrepreneurship grants for returnees: per DSD, five beneficiaries to receive Rs. 1,000,000 (one grant), Rs. 500,000 (one grant), and Rs. 250,000 (three grants) totaling Rs. 2,250,000 per DSD. 7. Assistance for families of migrants/patrons during hospitalization: essential medicines and necessities based on medical guidance. 8. Housing assistance: for fully disabled (>65%) returnees without a house, construction support if they own land. 9. Introduction of a contributory pension scheme in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Social Security Board for migrant workers. 10. Emergency assistance for migrant worker families: - Immediate cash relief Rs. 15,000 for dry rations in emergencies. - Up to Rs. 50,000 for physical damages due to natural disasters. 11. Voucher of Rs. 10,000 for families of first-time female domestic sector migrants. 12. Special needs support and talent development assistance for children of migrant families; nutrition and educational support. 13. Death benefits: Rs. 600,000 via insurance; additionally, Rs. 1,400,000 from Workers’ Welfare Fund to total up to Rs. 2,000,000. Funeral assistance increased from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 100,000.

¶ 07 (b) Not applicable.