The export of unskilled labour has had a long-term impact on some segments of Sri Lankan society and those who engaged in such work. The unskilled labour trade is also one of Sri Lanka’s many dark chapters, and one that keeps continuing. It is a long-term practice, which occurs out of inequality, poor governance and out of desperation, and we Sri Lankans should be ashamed to be party to it. The labour trade, particularly the unskilled segment which makes up a majority is one that every government, despite lofty claims to the contrary, seem comfortable to let continue, as it requires minimal investment, and is promoted by an industry that likes zero regulation, while delivering sizable forex to the treasury each year. For governments, it is convenient that the casualties of such overseas employment are from under-privileged and vulnerable communities, who often do not complain and resign themselves to believe that what happened to them is a matter of fate.  

The troubles which surround the export of unskilled labour has returned to the spotlight with reports of a Sri Lankan who was allegedly forced to swallow five concrete nails by her Saudi Arabian employers recently. The victim is a resident of Elkaduwa in Matale and is the mother of a one-year-old. Her Saudi employer and her (the employer’s) mother had assaulted her after she had complained to the private employment agency in Colombo that she was not getting enough food. She has mentioned in her Police complaint (in Sri Lanka) that she was beaten and forced to swallow five nails. She also mentioned that when she came to Sri Lanka and was examined at the Kandy General Teaching Hospital, it was found in the X-ray that two more nails were in her abdomen. It is learnt that one nail had been removed by the doctors but another iron nail remained in the back of her abdomen.

It is learnt, that like many such cases of abuse and torture which are now part of public record, Sri Lankan authorities have begun an investigation in to the incident. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Spokesperson Senarath Yapa told The Daily Morning that an investigation team has already been sent to the area where the victim had been employed, and that a report will be submitted to the Sri Lankan mission in Riyadh. However, whether this incident be probed properly and will those who abused her be brought to book under Saudi Law, remains to be seen. If we are to go by past experience, little if any action will be taken.

Many Sri Lankans, mostly unskilled women travel overseas to mainly the Middle East and the Mediterranean seeking employment. Their remittance prop up our economy and the ‘happy go Lucky’ lifestyles of many in affluent neighbourhoods live. It is largely their dollar remittance, which helped to keep a majority of us afloat, during the crisis period, by being a lifeline to import fuel, food, medicines and much more.  Some governments began to coin a gallantry term from the “Rata Viruwo” (foreign employment heroes). Sri Lanka would eagerly await their monthly ‘remittance’ to get by during the financial crisis of last year. The status quo today remains unchanged, Sri Lanka remains dependent on the dollars, earned through the blood, sweat and at times, death of vulnerable women, who travel overseas and face untold horrors, so that their loved ones can get by with “better” living conditions.  

While it is commendable that the Government’s focus on foreign revenue raising has now switched to the promotion of seeking skilled labour, and that there seems to be an effort to train Sri Lankans for higher paying and more regulated industries, the fact should not be forgotten that a great majority of Sri Lankans working overseas remain to be unskilled women. Why has the Government failed to seek better terms of employment and reinforced the services offered to Sri Lankan workers overseas remains an unanswered question. How many more Sri Lankan women need to return abused, scared, beaten, raped, mentally damaged or in a pine box, for the policymakers and those of us who benefit from their hard earned dollars, to act?