|
NEW
LEASE OF LIFE FOR GULF RETURNEES
Objectives
A
farsighted and unique Rehabilitation Emergency Assistance
Project to give relief to returnee workers from the war torn
Gulf countries of Kuwait and Iraq, has transformed the lives
of 85,000 dispirited migrant workers. It was set in place
by the ILO and UNDP over an 18-month period and jointly funded
by the UNDP, CIDA and the Swiss government with the ILO serving
as the executing agent.
The
scope of activities included; registration and counselling
of returnees; awareness and information on employment and
income opportunities in Sri Lanka; overseas job promotion
and pre-departure orientation seminars; skills training and
upgrading courses in garments, housekeeping, construction,
engineering and high skill trades; and computerisation and
database services.
Skills Training and Upgrading
The Lankan gulf returnees comprised largely low skilled, untrained
workers. At the completion of the course a large number of
workers with basic skills and high-level skills were re-trained
and their skills upgraded. The capabilities and facilities
of the national recruiting agency, the Sri Lanka Bureau of
Foreign Employment (SLFBE) in conducting training programs
were also strengthened.
New
Services:
-
The network of Counselling Services developed under the
Project is a unique example of successful Returnee Rehabilitation
through systematic psychosocial counselling. An important
and positive outcome has been the institutionalisation
and incorporation of counselling into regular programs
of the SLFBE.
-
A computerised database set up on Gulf Returnees has been
accepted by the UN Compensation Commission as a reference
for compensation rights.
-
Pre-departure Orientation programs for Returnee Workers
enabled migrant workers to make informed choices on employment
abroad.
-
The development of the overseas market furthermore led
to increased awareness among foreign employers of availability
of qualified professional and skilled Lankan workers,
and increased participation of construction contractors
in overseas labour markets. The Project also saw a higher
degree of and professionalism of recruiting by the private
sector which handles the bulk of overseas placements.
Overall
Impact
The
realisation of all these objectives empowered the beneficiaries
with new services, tools and skills needed for future employment,
thereby giving them a new lease of life. |
