Commencing from 01 July, first-time Lankans seeking foreign employment in non-domestic sectors will be required to have their job contracts certified by Lankan diplomatic missions in their destination countries before registering with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
The new rule applies to workers heading to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, the Maldives, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea.
The SLBFE says that this move is aimed at safeguarding the rights of migrant workers by ensuring contract authenticity and transparency, prior to departure.
However, the regulation will not apply to professionals migrating for self-employment. Exemptions will be granted to those who can present passports indicating their profession or relevant documentation proving their professional status abroad.
“This is a measure taken for the protection of migrant workers,” the Bureau said in a statement.