The Sri Lankan government is reassessing the possibility of reintroducing a minimum wage policy for the country’s migrant workers, especially those employed in the Middle East, in response to growing concerns over wage disparities and labour exploitation.
Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that the review is part of the broader 2023–2027 National Policy and Action Plan on Migration for Employment. Over 1.3 million Sri Lankans are currently working in Middle Eastern nations, playing a key role in the national economy through remittance inflows.
Minister Herath noted that the government removed the mandatory minimum wage in September 2021 in a bid to expand employment opportunities in the post-COVID era. However, this decision has since led to increased concerns about fair compensation and labour protections. “While the policy offered flexibility, it has also exposed workers to vulnerabilities such as wage undercutting and inadequate safeguards,” he stated.
Current wage conditions vary by host country:
- Qatar mandates a minimum wage of 1,800 Qatari Riyals (~$494),
- Kuwait offers around $240 per month,
- Saudi Arabia and the UAE do not enforce minimum wages for migrant workers.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar is working closely with local authorities to ensure compliance with wage laws.
To address existing disparities, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) is preparing standard wage guidelines for recruitment agencies, aimed at preventing wage manipulation and ensuring better protection for workers. The government estimates that stronger wage policies could help raise annual remittances to $1.5 billion.
Minister Herath affirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to fair and safe migration, highlighting the country’s bilateral agreements and MoUs with eight Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. These agreements enforce standard contracts, guarantee fair wages, and provide legal channels for dispute resolution.
Addressing comparisons with other regional migrant workforces, Herath acknowledged that Filipina domestic workers in Saudi Arabia reportedly earn $384 per month, while Sri Lankan domestic workers typically earn between $250 and $350. He said Sri Lanka is pursuing diplomatic engagement to ensure wage parity with workers from nations such as the Philippines, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
The SLBFE continues to monitor recruitment practices, with the authority to investigate complaints, penalise errant agencies, and blacklist abusive employers. New measures including digital worker registration, contract verification, and post-arrival surveys have been introduced to enhance worker protection.
Herath concluded by emphasizing the critical role of Sri Lankan diplomatic missions and welfare officers in handling grievances and upholding the dignity and rights of migrant workers, noting that a comprehensive review of recruitment agency operations is now underway.
