Caritas Sri Lanka - SEDEC

-Theme of Caritas Migrant Day event
“ Let us firmly resolve that we shall no more permit our migrant workers to be exported, exploited, exposed and abused”, said Rev Fr George Sigamoney, National Director of Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC at the International Migrant Day commemoration event held at the SEDEC Auditorium on 17th December 2011.

Introducing a Research Booklet launched on this occasion, Fr Sigamoney said that the study is a pointer to the fact that with all the well-intentioned measures taken at various levels to make migration safe and fruitful for the citizens of our country, there are severe gaps in the entire process that continue to deny the legitimate benefits which must accrue to a migrant worker.
The study was undertaken as an extensive research across several Districts in the country and involved meeting with several Governmental and Non-governmental agencies, interviewing migrant returnees to capture their stories of both success and failure, analyzing the relevant issues and finally coming up with important recommendations which will help surmount the numerous problems that have made migration such a hazardous undertaking and unhappy experience for many Sri Lankan women.

“ Far too long have the migrant workers’ rights been violated “, the Caritas National Director noted. “Far too long have we failed to hold governments responsible for their safety and welfare. Far too long have we ignored to demand full and proper implementation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families”.

Copies of the research booklet, titled Migration of Sri Lanka Women – Analysis of Causes and Post-arrival Assistance, were handed over to the Chief Guest Hon. Dilan Perera MP, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare,  Rt. Rev. Dr Raymond Wickremasinghe – Bishop of Galle and Mrs Shyamali Ranaraja, Attorney-at-Law and Employment Consultant.
Welcoming the participants to this event, Mr Jayashanka Basnayake, Manager of the Caritas Integral Human Development Program observed that in Sri Lanka where more than one million migrants are working abroad, the category of workers who are most exposed to various challenges are the women domestic workers employed in Middle East countries.

The Vote of Thanks on this occasion was delivered by Rev Sr Ushani Perera, Program Officer of the SEDEC Women Desk.