General

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has reported that it provided benefits exceeding Rs. 1 billion in 2025 to support Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families. Between January and November 2025, the Bureau offered assistance totaling Rs. 964.30 million to 326,246 migrant workers. In the same year, SLBFE also paid Rs. 397 million for free insurance coverage for 318,209 workers going abroad for jobs. They awarded scholarships worth Rs. 50.88 million to 1,628 children of migrant workers attending school and spent Rs. 50.25 million on school supplies for an additional 4,304 children, as stated by the Bureau. Moreover, funds have been set aside for various needs, including compensation for deaths and illnesses that occur during overseas work, help for starting self-employment after returning home, healthcare support for family members, several loan programs, and payments through the Workers’ Welfare Fund. Legal actions have also been initiated for individuals who reported being victims of foreign employment fraud, leading to the recovery of over Rs. 374 million. In addition, the 24-hour Information Centre created to help the public with information on foreign employment has been enhanced with new facilities, allowing for a more efficient and dependable service. Notably, Sri Lanka received the highest remittances from foreign workers in 40 years last year, totaling USD 8.07 billion, marking a 22.8 percent increase compared to 2024.