IMPACT OF THE TSUNAMI ON SRI  LANKA’S  MIGRANTS.
 

G.D.G.P. Soysa – Director , Migrant Services Centre.

 The Tsunami struck coastal areas in the North, East, South and West of Sri Lanka on 26^th Dec. 2004.

 The most affected districts were Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambanthota, Matara Galle and Kalutara. Several coastal villages where a  large number of Migrant Returnees migrant dependents  and prospective migrants lived were destroyed.  

Facts speak better than words. Please see figures of the impact given below.

 Impact of Tsunami Disaster as at 27-01-2005

 Source Daily Mirror of 22-01-2005

Results of disaster  have been identified as follows:-

144,918 families reportedly displaced, 30,308 deaths were reported, 14,458 injured, 5010 missing and 73,444 houses have been totally destroyed, 342,495 persons are displaced and most of them live with relations, friends or in 287 relief camps.

Economic impact has been severe with 70-80% of the fishing craft damaged along with ports piers and markets. Small scale business adversely affected, several large tourist hotels damaged or destroyed. The human tragedy is greater, as most of the dead were children and the aged.

TABLE – II

Estimated stock of Sri Lankan overseas workers in Tsunami affected districts in relation to number of dependents.

·         Source Research Division SLBFE 2003,

·         Provisional estimates based on official departure.

Persons in migrant house holds who were dependents of Migrant workers abroad constituted nearly one fifth of the total population (5,649,000) of the affected districts. Results of the disaster have been the following:-

A once vibrant migrant community has been dragged down to poverty and rags. Migrant families in coastal areas who stabilised their living through repeated cycles of out migration even under hostile situations;  acquired assets;  engaged in self employment and made a living have been adversely affected if they lived in a coastal areas. No estimate of impact on the Tsunami has been attempted yet though the state agency SLBFE set  up a Tsunami Relief Unit.

NGO and donor agencies with the support of Sri Lanka Diasporas living and working abroad, Sri Lankans in Europe, America and Gulf countries are rendering assistance to the Tsunami affected. They have camped out in a affected areas yet. There is yet no visible sign of a similar commitment by agencies sending labour abroad. Though in this event they could very well take the lead to provide safe migration to at least one member of a Tsunami affected family .

Institute of Policy Studies recall that migrant workers deserve better treatment. It  is no surprise that  the Institute of Policy Studies commented in 2004 that in spite of the contribution migrant workers make there is a “Low level of political priority given to migrant workers”. This is also said to be a reason for lack of arrangements of social security provision for them though more than 10% of National Work Force more than 17% of National savings and more than 20% of Foreign exchange earnings are contributed by them. “Institute recommends a Mechanism to translate their savings during periods of foreign employment into old age income security” and states that the limited Insurance Scheme provided by the Bureau are insufficient. “Provision of Health Care lacking at present needs attention from an inter government perspective.”  (Status of the Economy 2004) 

We are concerned that the tragedy has left in its wake a series of social problems more particularly for migrant families who were gaining economic independence and stability.  The village communities they lived in and extended family structure that supported them have come under stress. It has been observed in the past that even under normal conditions Sri Lankan women are trafficked mainly during the process of labour migration. Women seeking employment opportunities abroad are exploited during the several stages of the migration process within Sri Lanka and in the country of destination.

Many who run away unable to with stand cruel verbal and physical abuse fall prey to brothel owners and pimps and face untold misery. Fake travel agents or Job Agents assist illegal or irregular migration. Here the level of exploitation is extremely high, prior to departure as well as in country of destination.  They can be deported and harassed by law enforcement officers abroad. Cultural norms in Sri Lanka stigmatize victims of abuse compelling women victims to enduring their suffering in silence. Even those who migrate lawfully may end up as unpaid workers and work virtually as salves. 

Economic reasons like lack of employment, incomes and means of sustenance combined with, shaky live hoods compel women to undertake overseas employment under any conditions. The government increasingly encourages overseas employment whilst turning a blind eye towards ameliorating the poor working conditions of Sri Lankan women workers abroad. Recruitment is done by 530 Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies. However the operations of nearly 10,000 unlicensed job brokers who denied patrimony by the licensed agents they serve has made law enforcement difficult and unrewarding.  Women and children particularly from rural areas and plantations migrate to urban centres within  Sri Lanka to work as domestic or unskilled labour in informal sector and free trade zones. Some are reportedly taken by force or deception and end up as sex objects or bonded labour.

Researchers have pointed out that women and children from Tsunami affected areas are trafficked for employment with false promises forcing young women to live under minimal living conditions victimized often by organized crime groups.  

It has been reported that “child abuse sexual harassment demand for sexual services for tasks performed by helpers was commonly prevalent and increased by the day. The signs of a sex industry seemed to be building up. Middle men for job search agencies were procuring women for Middle East employment” 

UNAIDS has observed that highly mobile unstable migrant populations affected by National calamities run the risk of exposure to STD’s & the HIV/AIDS pandemic. 

In this situation it is our view that tsunami relief workers should have the knowledge tools and educational material to help combat the worst forms of exploitation of women and children through trafficking and strengthen communities that seek overseas employment by relying on a regime of safe migration.

It will not surprises us that official statistics indicate even after the war Mullaitivu with 14,955 families has 58,519 persons displaced during the last 20 years.  Jaffna with 18,266 families has 63,801 persons displaced. It is regrettably noted that there are families who have lived continuously in camps during last ten years. Main problem facing them is to find suitable land to build their homes.  It is feared that with several demarcations marked in coastal belt restricting building activity, a large number Tsunami affected would continue to remain for long in camps set up for them.  

Social workers have commented that conditions in camps are not satisfactory “many are unwilling to live in camps due to physical danger, lack of privacy and indignity of open living”.

No definite information or statistics are available on trafficking in Tsunami affected areas of Sri Lanka. We do not have a comprehensive legal provision to deal with offence of trafficking covering all aspects. Amendments to the penal code in 1995 provides a definition yet it covers only children. Police, Women and Children’s Desks reported a total of 1,260 sexual & gender based violence (SGBV) cases in 2002 and 1506 cases n year 2003. This report states the there was an increase of kidnapping and trafficking from 101 cases in 2002 to 1,506 cases in 2003.

Several studies and reports also show that trafficking for sex and exploitative forms of labour do exist internally and externally especially when Sri Lankan women travel out of the country to West and East Asian countries to work as housemaids and factory workers and also within the country in search of work in factories especially in free trade zones. 

In this situation it is our view that relief workers should have the knowledge tools and educational material to help combat trafficking of women and children.