Families and beneficiaries of registered Sri Lankan migrant workers who die while employed overseas will receive up to Rs. 2 million in death compensation under a new programme introduced by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
Under the existing insurance scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive Rs. 600,000 from the insurance provider. The SLBFE will provide an additional Rs. 1.4 million through its Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund, bringing the total compensation to Rs. 2 million.
The first payments under the new programme were made on Thursday (10), with Rs. 70 million in additional compensation awarded to the families and beneficiaries of 50 deceased migrant workers.
The programme is being implemented on the instructions of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath and under the supervision of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.
The additional compensation will apply to eligible deaths of registered migrant workers occurring on or after June 25, 2025.
The decision to increase the compensation was taken after a review of the existing scheme, which found that the Rs. 600,000 payment was insufficient to address the financial and social difficulties faced by families following the death of a migrant worker.
The SLBFE said consideration was given to introducing an additional insurance premium paid by migrant workers or recruitment agencies, but it was ultimately decided that the additional Rs. 1.4 million would be funded through the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund instead.
Based on death compensation claims recorded between 2022 and 2024, the SLBFE estimates that approximately Rs. 231 million will be required annually to meet the additional compensation payments.
The SLBFE Board of Directors has approved the payments through the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The special compensation programme was attended by Minister Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, the Secretary to the Ministry, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry, the Chairman of the SLBFE, the General Manager of the SLBFE and other officials and distinguished guests.
The programme aims to strengthen the welfare, financial security and social protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families. (Newswire)
