The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has taken steps to increase the death compensation payable to dependents of registered Sri Lankan migrant workers who die while employed overseas to Rs. 2 million.
The new programme is being implemented by the SLBFE on the instructions of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, under the supervision of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra.
Accordingly, an additional Rs. 1.4 million will be provided through the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund (Workers’ Welfare Fund) of the SLBFE, in addition to the existing Rs. 600,000 death compensation paid by the insurance provider under the current insurance scheme, the SLBFE said.
The first compensation awards under this new programme were presented on September 10, 2026, at the auditorium of the SLBFE. At the inaugural programme, Rs. 70 million in additional compensation was awarded to the families and beneficiaries of 50 deceased migrant workers.
Under the existing insurance scheme, all migrant workers registered with the SLBFE receive insurance coverage free of charge. If a migrant worker dies during the period covered by the insurance scheme, the insurance provider pays Rs. 600,000 in death compensation to the eligible beneficiaries.
However, the SLBFE said the existing compensation amount was considered insufficient to address the financial and social difficulties faced by families following the sudden death of a migrant worker.
Accordingly, at a discussion held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism on 19 March 2025, the adequacy of the existing death compensation provided to registered migrant workers was reviewed, with particular attention given to increasing the level of financial protection available to their families.
As part of this review, consideration was also given to introducing an additional insurance premium to be paid either by the migrant worker or by the relevant recruitment agency in order to increase the total death compensation to Rs. 2 million.
However, taking into consideration the additional financial burden this could place on migrant workers, it was decided that the additional Rs. 1.4 million would instead be provided through the SLBFE’s Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund.
The SLBFE said this mechanism has been identified as a fairer and more sustainable approach, as it provides enhanced financial protection without imposing an additional financial burden on migrant workers.
According to SLBFE data, 124 death compensation claims were recorded among registered migrant workers in 2022, of which 109 were paid. In 2023, there were 210 claims, with 189 payments made, while 253 claims were recorded in 2024, of which 199 were paid.
Based on these figures, approximately Rs. 231 million is estimated to be required annually to meet the additional compensation payments under the new scheme.
The SLBFE Board of Directors has approved the provision of the additional compensation through the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.
The additional compensation will be payable for eligible deaths of registered migrant workers occurring on or after June 25, 2025.
The SLBFE said the initiative aims to further strengthen the welfare, financial security and social protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families.
The special death compensation award programme was held with the participation of Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment; the Secretary to the Ministry; the Additional Secretary to the Ministry; the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment; the General Manager of the SLBFE; and other distinguished guests.
