The Centre for Working Women in collaboration with International Labour Organisation, Sri Lanka is undertaking a programme to assist migrant workers who have lost their jobs and returned to the country due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Based on the data available, we assume there are more than 75,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers who have returned to their country during last year. Among them, many individuals are looking for new livelihood opportunities.

We have already identified this as one of the main socio-economic problems created by the prevailing pandemic around the world. This situation affects not only the individuals who lost their ex-pat jobs but also their dependents in various ways.

Hundreds of thousands of families are vulnerable to this situation. They find it difficult to afford food and shelter. They also face hardships in providing proper education to their children. They are facing a debt crisis. And are struggling to find a new livelihood.