Labour migration

Labour migration research on Sri Lanka: What do we know? What don’t we know?

Information on labour migration is scattered across different databases and among diverse stakeholders. Hence, this desk review attempts to analyze such dispersed information and curate them, identifying knowledge gaps to enable evidence-based policy making.

The core objective of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis of the existing research in the field of labour migration related to Sri Lanka and extract findings, recommendations and research gaps relevant to the current and future trends in labour migration. This will allow the policymakers to have a better understanding of the present context as well as upcoming trends in labour migration through which the decision-making process can be streamlined to address the existing issues and envisage the upcoming challenges in labour migration. Being equipped with information and evidence of migration trends would facilitate the policymakers to deliver better outcomes and ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration for all Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families.

We trust that this publication will be eye-opening to all stakeholders engaged in the sphere of labour migration and encourage interested stakeholders to conduct further research where there are gaps and contribute to the generation of new knowledge.