By: Staff Writer
July 10, Colombo (LNW): Starting July 1, Sri Lankan job seekers heading to the Middle East and several other countries for employment in industrial and corporate sectors must have their job contracts certified by Sri Lankan embassies in those respective nations.
This mandatory rule, introduced by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), is part of a wider strategy to prevent exploitation and ensure better protection for migrant workers, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Employment revealed.
Initially scheduled for implementation on June 7, the regulation faced a brief delay but is now fully in force. Under the new rule, Sri Lankan labor attachés stationed in 13 key countries—such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and South Korea—are responsible for validating employment agreements. Each certification will carry a processing fee of US$60.
The regulation follows a rising number of complaints from migrant workers, particularly in Gulf countries, regarding abuse, harassment, contract substitution, wage fraud, and other forms of mistreatment. The SLBFE noted that many victims were job seekers who had traveled abroad through informal channels or unregulated job agents.
This new requirement is expected to impact mainly those securing employment independently, bypassing licensed recruitment agencies. Unlike those recruited through official channels, self-arranged workers often lack the safeguards embedded in agency-led processes.
However, the rule provides exemptions for professionals such as doctors, engineers, and IT specialists. These individuals may bypass the certification process if they can submit proof of their professional status—such as a valid passport and recognized qualifications—when registering with the SLBFE.
The move comes as foreign employment continues to serve as a crucial lifeline for many Sri Lankans struggling amid persistent economic challenges at home. With over 1.5 million Sri Lankans working abroad—most in Gulf nations—remittances remain a key source of foreign exchange for the country.
However, this dependency has historically come at the cost of worker welfare, with rights groups reporting frequent abuses against low-skilled laborers, including domestic workers and construction staff.
According to the SLBFE, the contract certification rule forms part of a broader initiative to promote ethical recruitment practices, protect vulnerable workers, and improve transparency in overseas job contracts. The bureau has urged all potential migrant workers to verify job offers through official channels and avoid dealing with unauthorized agents.
Authorities hope that strengthened oversight will not only reduce cases of exploitation but also maintain a steady flow of remittances vital to the national economy.
