The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has raised significant concerns over the operations of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), alleging that the organization, originally established for regulatory purposes, is now functioning as a business entity.
These revelations were made during a COPE meeting held on February 27, chaired by MP Dr Nishantha Samaraweera.
One of the most alarming findings was the report that 683 underage workers had been sent abroad for domestic work between May 2023 and June 2024.
The COPE committee highlighted that this action violated regulations protecting minors and put these young workers at risk.
Additionally, it was disclosed that the SLBFE failed to provide mandatory residential training to 28,165 first-time migrant domestic workers.
As a result, the government lost approximately Rs 631,177,650 in training revenue, further raising questions about the Bureau’s financial management practices.
The committee also uncovered troubling financial discrepancies, including the rental of 30 stalls for Rs 170,000 each for a program in Galle, while a single stall for a similar event in Jaffna was rented for Rs 500,000.
This uneven allocation of resources led to questions about the Bureau’s fiscal responsibility.
Further investigation revealed that 25 stalls had been purchased at a total cost of Rs 12.5 million, a decision that has yet to be fully explained.
Another key issue raised during the meeting was the SLBFE’s approval of recruitment agencies to send domestic workers abroad on tourist visas.
This move, which bypassed proper work permits, has sparked concerns over the safety and legal status of workers.
A controversial circular issued on March 30, 2023, allowed workers to migrate to the UAE and Oman without formal labour agreements.
This raised red flags regarding their legal protections, as well as the lack of transparency in the process.
The committee revealed that 4,942 workers had left Sri Lanka on tourist visas, and while many of them found jobs abroad, their details had not been uploaded to the Sri Lankan embassy’s database, further complicating any efforts to track the workers’ safety and whereabouts.
In addition to these issues, COPE also examined the “Jayagamu Sri Lanka” program, which incurred an expenditure of Rs 1.2 billion.
Officials defended the spending, claiming that all payments followed proper procedures. However, due to the expenditure surpassing Rs 500 million, cabinet approval was required, and the Auditor General’s Department will now be tasked with reviewing the financial transactions associated with the program.
The committee also raised concerns about temporary shelters for stranded Sri Lankan migrant workers and the internal appointment procedures within the SLBFE.
In light of these serious findings, the COPE committee has decided to form a subcommittee to conduct further investigations into the SLBFE’s operations.
This move comes as part of an effort to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of migrant workers and their welfare.
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