Migrant workers’ issues have been neglected -SJB MP Chaminda

The Government has not paid sufficient attention or taken measures to resolve the issues regarding migrant workers who were in the forefront in supporting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa during the Presidential Election, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chaminda Wijesiri said in Parliament yesterday (20).

The MP said that President Rajapaksa’s then election campaign used to refer to the foreign workers as Rata Wiruwo (Heroes abroad), MP Wijesiri said that the Government should take swift measures to ensure the welfare of these foreign employees.

“These migrant workers are our citizens. They undergo many hardships while working in these countries. They send the foreign exchange into the country. We need to protect and honour them for taking up this challenge. We have seen other people migrating, taking citizenship, and returning. While the former is sending foreign exchange into the country, the latter robs public money,” MP Wijesiri said.

“The Labour Ministry should initiate a special programme to secure migrant workers, especially during a crisis such as this pandemic,” MP Wijesiri said.