By Newswire Editorial
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has warned Sri Lankans against travelling abroad on visit visas for employment, citing an increasing number of nationals facing difficulties after being misled by overseas job promises.
In a public notice issued today (11), the Ministry said a large number of Sri Lankans who travelled to destinations including Malaysia, Dubai and Oman on visit visas, based on promises of employment, are currently facing various difficulties.
The Ministry stressed that a visit visa is not a work visa and warned that taking up employment on a visit visa could violate the laws of the destination country.
It cautioned that individuals travelling abroad under such arrangements risk arrest, detention, deportation and becoming victims of fraud or human trafficking.
The Ministry also warned that some individuals may not receive the employment promised to them, while others could face unpaid wages, reduced salaries, loss of passports and financial difficulties.
Sri Lankans were specifically advised not to fall for promises that a visit visa could be converted into a work visa after arrival or that employment could be secured once they reach the destination country.
The Ministry urged all Sri Lankans seeking overseas employment to follow legal recruitment procedures and register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before departure.
It emphasised that following proper legal procedures is essential to protecting the safety, finances and future of Sri Lankan migrant workers. (Newswire)