A serious alert has been issued for anyone planning to go overseas for work. In a public notice released today (11), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism warned the public against leaving Sri Lanka on visit visas hoping to find jobs.
According to the ministry, a growing number of citizens have ended up in deep trouble abroad after being misled by fake job offers.
Severe troubles in Malaysia, Dubai and Oman
The ministry revealed that a large number of Sri Lankans who travelled to countries such as Malaysia, Dubai and Oman on visit visas are now facing severe hardships.
Officials made it clear that a visit visa is never a work visa. Working on such a visa breaches destination country laws and puts people at risk of detention, arrest, deportation, fraud and even human trafficking.
Unpaid wages and visa conversion traps
The authorities pointed out that victims often do not receive the jobs promised to them. Many end up suffering from non-payment of wages, salary cuts, confiscated passports and serious financial distress.
The public has been strictly advised not to believe false promises that visit visas can be changed to work visas after landing, or that jobs will simply be arranged on arrival.
Register with SLBFE first
The ministry urged all job seekers to strictly follow proper recruitment channels and make sure they register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) prior to leaving.
Sticking to the proper legal route is the only way to protect the safety, money and future of Sri Lankan migrant workers, the ministry said.
