A national stakeholder consultation held in Colombo identified practical measures to strengthen social protection systems and safeguard Sri Lankan migrant workers from the effects of crises, conflict and geopolitical instability, according to a press release by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The consultation, held on 14 August 2026, brought together 80 representatives from government, workers’ and employers’ organizations, academia, civil society and international bodies. It was organized by the National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka, the Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership and Public Policy, and the ILO’s STREAM Programme. Government representatives from Bangladesh and Nepal also participated. Discussions focused on enhancing preparedness before, during and after crises.
The event, titled “Middle East War Situation and Its Impact on Sri Lankan Migrant Workers and Preparedness Mechanisms,” addressed the vulnerabilities faced by workers abroad. Participants agreed that crisis preparedness extends beyond safe repatriation to preserving access to social protection and healthcare. The absence of such protections increases risks of indebtedness, psychosocial distress and livelihood insecurity for workers and their families. Data from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) showed that more than 73 per cent of workers registered for foreign employment in 2026 were destined for the Middle East, predominantly Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Remittance inflows have so far remained resilient despite regional instability.
The ILO stressed that emergency assistance cannot replace comprehensive social protection throughout the migration cycle. Destination countries bear primary responsibility for protecting workers during employment, while countries of origin play a complementary role through welfare funds, social security schemes and insurance mechanisms. Such unilateral measures can provide short-term income protection after job or wage loss, interim injury or disability protection, and help workers access entitlements in destination countries. “Protecting migrant workers during a crisis cannot begin with evacuation and end with their return home,” said Joni Simpson, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. She added that institutions in countries of origin and destination must preserve access to income security and health care throughout displacement, return and recovery.
P.G.G.S. Yapa, Additional General Manager of the SLBFE, warned that consequences often appear subtly. “The effects of a crisis may appear as a ‘soft shock’ rather than widespread job losses,” he said, noting that workers may face reduced hours, delayed wages, denied leave or unpaid benefits. Domestic and low-paid workers face heightened risks due to dependence on employers for accommodation and mobility. Participants highlighted the need to connect Sri Lanka’s migration welfare, insurance, social security, consular assistance and reintegration mechanisms. They also emphasized predictable financing, interoperable worker data, clear institutional responsibilities and mechanisms that can be rapidly scaled during emergencies.
Nikarilkanth Kanthasamy, Senior Assistant Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, said the National Policy and Action Plan on Migration for Employment 2023–2027 recognizes migrant workers and their families as a distinct group within national crisis response strategies. The consultation followed a technical regional exchange convened by the ILO STREAM Programme on 13 August, gathering experts from Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Participants emphasized the value of South Asian countries speaking with a common voice in engagement with GCC destination countries. The ILO STREAM Programme is implemented in partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Foreign Policy Instrument of the European Union, and the Ford Foundation. It aims to expand inclusive, gender-responsive and rights-based social protection across the South Asia–Gulf corridor.