Contract clearance needed for self-employed workers in 13 countries: SLBFE

Colombo, July 1 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) announced that, effective today, that Sri Lankan workers who individually seek employment in 13 designated countries, would need to have their employment contracts certified by the Sri Lankan Mission in the respective countries.

According to the new regulation, Sri Lankans seeking employment on their own in 13 designated countries Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea must have their service contracts certified by the Labor and Welfare Sections of the relevant Sri Lankan Missions to obtain bureau registration.

A fee of US$60 will be charged for this certification, the SLBFE said in a statement.

However, professionals travelling abroad for jobs in the professional category on their own with a new service agreement are exempt from this requirement. They can obtain bureau registration by presenting either their passport indicating their professional status or other relevant documents proving their qualifications.

The SLBFE stated that the decision was taken as a safeguard against human trafficking and to prevent difficulties previously faced by Sri Lankan workers overseas. The move aims to strengthen the safety and rights of Sri Lankan migrant workers under foreign employment arrangements.