Stop sending workers to Saudi
United National Party (UNP), Ratnapura District Parliamentarian, Ranjan Ramanayake, urged the Sri Lankan Government to stop sending people for employment to Saudi Arabia as labour laws relating to migrant workers are observed in the breach by the Saudi authorities. Pointing out that over 600,000 Sri Lankans are working in Saudi Arabia in various positions, Ramanayake said they undergo immense difficulties, physical pain and at times even lose their precious lives to earn for the benefit of their parents, spouses and children.
Though Bahrain, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Philippines have labour laws, in Saudi Arabia they have only Sharia law not labour laws he said, pointing out that Sri Lanka is becoming the only country in the world that sends its people to Saudi Arabia for employment.
“Our poor people who become prey to various crooks and unsavoury masters and mistresses who employ them are not helped by our diplomats based in Saudi Arabia. In fact some people who work in our embassies are found harassing Sri Lankan housemaids, on occasion,” he claimed, recounting from personal knowledge how hundreds of Sri Lankan expatriates who have lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia are languishing under bridges, culverts, trees, abandoned houses and so on, without food or water for days on end.
“The government must address their grievances and look to their welfare. After all, they are the people who earn for the country billions and, billions of rupees, by way of salaries, Ramanayake said.
Category: Local
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