The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, under the guidance of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Mr. Arun Hemachandra, held a highly attended “Special Public Day” at SLBFE headquarters today (4th). The event aimed to address various concerns in the foreign employment sector, with the Deputy Minister, SLBFE Chairman Koshala Wickramasinghe, and ministry and bureau officials working directly with the public to resolve issues.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Hemachandra emphasized the importance of directly engaging with those affected by the challenges in the foreign employment sector. “This sector faces numerous problems, and many individuals have requested a platform to present their complaints, suggestions, and ideas. By holding this public day at the Bureau, we are providing a direct opportunity for the public to voice their concerns,” he explained.
He further elaborated on the various categories of attendees, including those with grievances, family members of workers abroad, and individuals who have faced injustices while working overseas. The Deputy Minister extended an open invitation to the public to engage with the relevant authorities, assuring them that their issues would be addressed.
In a statement to the media, the Deputy Minister addressed concerns about the Korean E8 visa. He clarified that while there had been previous confusion regarding the legality of agreements involving intermediaries, the government had now secured cabinet approval for the visa program. Hemachandra also stressed that the government is committed to ensuring that the first group of E8 workers would be sent to Korea at a reasonable cost, free from the involvement of illegal intermediaries.
The Deputy Minister also acknowledged the various irregularities that have occurred in the sector, including fraudulent activity involving intermediaries and issues related to employment licenses. Investigations into these matters are currently underway, with the responsible institutions pursuing legal action against those found guilty.
The “Special Public Day” will now be held on a monthly basis to continue addressing foreign employment issues and providing timely solutions to the public.
