Over recent years, Sri Lanka has seen a marked rise in labor migration, a trend intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the more recent economic crisis. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, in the first quarter of 2024 alone, total departures for foreign employment amounted to 75,175, with a monthly average of around 25,000 departures, making Sri Lanka one of South Asia’s largest labor-sending nations. However, many migrant workers remain unaware of safe migration practices, often risking their lives by engaging in unsafe labor pathways.
This podcast explores Sri Lanka's transformative journey in labor migration through the Safe Labour Migration Programme (SLMP), an initiative spearheaded by Switzerland. SLMP prioritizes secure migration, promotes decent work, and maximizes the potential of labor migration, all while enhancing the well-being of migrant workers and their families. By refining migration processes, reinforcing labor market regulations, and expanding access to essential services, SLMP is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contributes to SDG target 10.7 for orderly, safe, and responsible migration.
Join us as we dive into the challenges and successes of labor migration with powerful stories and expert insights. Each episode provides unique insights into the realities and reforms shaping labor migration in Sri Lanka, from firsthand accounts of migrants’ journeys and the challenges they face to in-depth conversations with partner organizations, all working toward a brighter future for migrant workers and their families.
This podcast is hosted by
Safe Labour Migration Programme in Sri Lanka
Over recent years, Sri Lanka has seen a marked rise in labor migration, a trend intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and the more recent economic crisis. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, in the first quarter of 2024 alone, total departures for foreign employment amounted to 75,175, with a monthly average of around 25,000 departures, making Sri Lanka one of South Asia’s largest labor-sending nations. However, many migrant workers remain unaware of safe migration practices, often risking their lives by engaging in unsafe labor pathways.
This podcast explores Sri Lanka's transformative journey in labor migration through the Safe Labour Migration Programme (SLMP), an initiative spearheaded by Switzerland. SLMP prioritizes secure migration, promotes decent work, and maximizes the potential of labor migration, all while enhancing the well-being of migrant workers and their families. By refining migration processes, reinforcing labor market regulations, and expanding access to essential services, SLMP is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contributes to SDG target 10.7 for orderly, safe, and responsible migration.
Join us as we dive into the challenges and successes of labor migration with powerful stories and expert insights. Each episode provides unique insights into the realities and reforms shaping labor migration in Sri Lanka, from firsthand accounts of migrants’ journeys and the challenges they face to in-depth conversations with partner organizations, all working toward a brighter future for migrant workers and their families.
This podcast is hosted by