Fair Recruitment of migrant workers in Sri Lanka: A Legal Gap Analysis

Fair and effective recruitment practices have a significant impact on preventing and countering human trafficking. Universally accepted principles of fair recruitment suggest that workers should be well-informed of all aspects of employment, including the nature of the employment, payment mechanisms, access to dispute resolution, and safe return.

This report analyses and discusses the legal and policy issues surrounding recruitment practices for foreign employment that Sri Lankan migrant workers face. For this study, the team has selected issues relevant to three International Labour Organisation (ILO) General Principles on Fair Recruitment Practices. The study identifies issues surrounding poor labour standards, violations of human rights of migrant workers. The report aims to address deficiencies in the existing recruitment practices to prevent migrant workers from exploitative behaviour that can result in human trafficking.