By The Pulseline News Desk
For decades, Sri Lanka’s migrant workers have been hailed as the backbone of the country’s economy, sending billions of dollars home each year while often facing exploitation, legal uncertainty and limited social protection abroad. Now, the Government says it is preparing one of the most significant overhauls of the foreign employment sector in recent years.
Speaking in Parliament, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced that a new Foreign Employment Act would soon be presented to Parliament, promising stronger legal safeguards, improved welfare benefits and greater accountability for an industry that supports hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan families.
The proposed legislation seeks to close long-standing legal gaps while strengthening the rights and security of Sri Lankans employed overseas. The reforms signal a broader shift in how the Government views migrant workers – not merely as earners of foreign exchange, but as citizens entitled to greater protection throughout their overseas employment journey.
One of the most notable proposals is the introduction of voting rights for Sri Lankans living abroad, a long-standing demand of the expatriate community. Preparatory work has also begun on a contributory pension scheme for migrant workers, providing a measure of financial security after years of employment overseas.
More reforms
In another effort to improve government services, the Ministry has launched the “Lanka Konnect” website and mobile application, allowing Sri Lankans across the world to submit complaints, seek assistance and access consular services more efficiently.
The reforms also target corruption within the foreign employment sector. Minister Herath said bribery and malpractice involving foreign employment agencies had been brought under tighter control, with a special investigation unit – including officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) – tasked with enforcing the law and investigating fraudulent practices.
Increased compensation
For many families, however, the most immediate impact may be the increase in compensation paid when a Sri Lankan worker dies while employed abroad. The payment has been doubled from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 1.2 million, reflecting what the Government says is a stronger commitment to supporting families during times of tragedy.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of record-breaking foreign remittances. According to the Minister, Sri Lanka received an unprecedented $ 8 billion in remittances during the first year of the current administration, with $ 4.75 billion already recorded during the first six months of 2026.
Those inflows remain one of the country’s most important sources of foreign exchange, helping stabilise the economy and support millions of households at a time when Sri Lanka continues its post-crisis recovery.
Jobs in Japan
Looking ahead, the government is placing greater emphasis on skilled migration rather than low-skilled employment alone.
Japan has emerged as one of Sri Lanka’s most promising labour destinations. Under an existing bilateral agreement, Herath said Japan is prepared to recruit 1,000 Sri Lankan truck drivers immediately.
“We can send 1,000 truck drivers to Japan even tomorrow,” the Minister said, noting that applicants need only meet the required Japanese language standard by passing either the JLPT N4 examination or the Japan Foundation Test (JFT).
“If there are people in our country with these qualifications, we invite them to apply immediately. There are already 1,000 job opportunities available, and we can send them to Japan without delay,” he added.
Beyond truck drivers, agreements with Japan also cover employment opportunities for construction workers and university graduates, reflecting growing demand for skilled foreign labour in the Japanese economy.
The Government is also seeking to widen access to overseas employment through domestic skills development. A new youth training centre is expected to be established in the Northern Province to prepare young people for international job markets and improve employability.
Addressing practical barriers
Meanwhile, Minister Herath said practical barriers facing Sri Lankan workers were being addressed. Discussions with Italian authorities have resolved issues surrounding the recognition of general driving licences, while regulations governing recruitment for jobs in Israel have been tightened. Private recruitment agencies will now be permitted to charge workers no more than the equivalent of two months’ salary, a move aimed at reducing excessive recruitment costs.
The Minister also warned prospective migrant workers against human smugglers and illegal recruitment networks that demand between Rs. 4 million and Rs. 4.5 million in exchange for false promises of overseas employment.
He urged job seekers to use only licensed recruitment channels, stressing that many victims lose their life savings while ending up stranded abroad without legal employment.
As Sri Lanka works to expand overseas employment opportunities, the Government’s challenge will be ensuring that economic gains are matched by stronger worker protections. For a nation whose migrant workers continue to play a key role in economic recovery, the proposed reforms represent more than legislative change – they signal an effort to place dignity, security and opportunity at the centre of the country’s foreign employment policy.
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