Policy Responses to a Changing Labour Migration

This thematic brief looks at the history of Sri Lankan labour emigration and changing labour migration trends. The brief provides an overview of the various policies implemented and formulated for the purpose of protecting the nation’s labour resources overseas, as well as some of the potential consequences of the proposed labour migration policies. A majority of the people migrating from Sri Lanka for the purpose of labour until 2009 have been females and even today they represent a significant proportion of the labour supply. This brief also looks at the various types of abuse and adverse circumstances female labour migrants face while overseas and at home as a result of their decision to migrate. The brief also explores the various policies implemented and formulated for the purpose of protecting the national’s labour resources when overseas. The book attempts to look at some of the potential consequences of the proposed labour migration policies.