26 January 2021 10:12 am
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has instructed the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to use the SLBFE funds for the task of repatriating migrant workers affected by the COVID - 19 disaster.
The COPE inquired whether there are any legal impediments to the repatriation of Sri Lankan workers using the Foreign Employment Bureau's current assets of Rs. 14 billion.
SLBFE Chairman informed the COPE that there was no obstacle to repatriate foreign workers registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment to Sri Lanka using their funds.
This was revealed during a COPE meeting held at the Parliament complex recently.
It was also revealed that a total of 34,721 workers who lost their jobs due to fall of oil prices in the Middle East and the COVID - 19 disaster have already requested the Bureau of Foreign Employment to repatriate them. (Ajith Siriwardana)