Supporting the Socio-economic Reintegration of Sri Lankan Migrant Workers Repatriated due to the COVID-19 Outbreak (IOM-ILO collaboration)

This project aims at contributing towards sustainable reintegration of Sri Lankan migrant workers. The project has been designed with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in alignment with the National COVID-19 Response Plan for Migrant Workers, and the Sub Policy and National Action Plan on Return and Reintegration of Migrant Workers (2015). It is also broadly linked to the UN Advisory Note on COVID-19 Socioeconomic Response (July 2020) and the UN Sustainable Development Framework (under Human Security and Socioeconomic Resilience)

Specific project objectives

By 2022, the target beneficiaries of the project will have recovered from the impact of COVID-19 and will be sustainably engaged in an income generation activity in Sri Lanka or abroad

Expected results

  • Reduced vulnerability of returnee migrant workers through enhanced skills development for future employment opportunities
  • Improved capacity of government institutions facilitates consistent economic participation of migrant returnees

Project outcome(s) and activities

Reduced vulnerability of returnee migrant workers through enhanced skills development for future employment opportunities
  •  Identify priority sectors and qualifications for conversion into digital format and develop a plan in consultation with key social partners such as the government, employers and workers groups, as well as training delivery partners
  • Digitalize existing vocational training modules in the identified priority qualifications /sectors for offering blended learning (using digital media) at selected facilities
  • Deliver blended or online training programs in the identified qualifications/sectors, including entrepreneurship skills (ILO's training on Start and Improve Your Business - SIYB), core skills, digital skills, occupational health & safety skills using digital tools
  • Upgrade training equipment and facilities of public/governmental vocational training institutes to deliver blended and/or online training using digital tools
  • Capacitate public/government vocational training instructors, entrepreneurship (SIYB), master trainers and centre managers to deliver the online and distance learning training methods
  • Public vocational training institutes to develop programmes to certify skills of returnees using recognition of prior learning (RPL), including formal skills assessments and endorsement for issuance of skills passports will be provided to those who have fulfilled the requirement for certification.
Improved capacity of government institutions facilitates consistent economic participation of migrant returnees
  •  Public Employment Services (PES) Centres, services strengthened by linking with employers online "Job portal", job placement and career guidance services to improve job matching services among COVID-19 affected returnee migrants
  • Quality apprenticeship/work-based learning programmes in collaboration with trade unions and employers, particularly for women returnees
  • Government officers (Foreign Employment Development Officers, SLBFE officers) and CSOs capacitated to provide advisory and support services on COVID-19 relief packages, offered by banks and other financial institutions for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to returnees
  • Establish market linkages between SME producers and markets through supply chains to cater to domestic markets, as well as export markets, by capacitating staff of government enterprise development division to ensure the successful functioning of the MSEs

Partners

Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC), National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), Department of Manpower and Employment (DME), Start and Improve Your Business Association of Sri Lanka (SIYB), Small Enterprise Development (SED), Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) and Workers Organizations

Target beneficiaries    

  • Returnee migrants and their communities
  • Irregular Migrants
  • Women and Victims of Trafficking (VoTs)