The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has taken steps to increase the death compensation payable to the dependents of registered Sri Lankan migrant workers who die while employed overseas to Rs. 2 million.
This programme is being implemented by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment on the instructions of Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and under the supervision of Hon. Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment.
Accordingly, in addition to the Rs. 600,000 death compensation currently paid by the insurance provider under the existing insurance scheme, an additional Rs. 1.4 million will be provided through the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund (Workers’ Welfare Fund) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
The first compensation awards under this new programme were presented on 10 September 2026 at the auditorium of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
At the inaugural programme, Rs. 70 million in additional compensation was awarded to the families and beneficiaries of 50 deceased migrant workers.
A New Step to Strengthen the Financial Security of Migrant Worker Families
Under the existing insurance scheme, all migrant workers registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment are provided with insurance coverage free of charge.
In the event that a migrant worker dies during the period covered by the insurance scheme, the insurance provider pays Rs. 600,000 as death compensation to his or her eligible beneficiaries.
However, it has been recognized that the existing compensation amount is 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 such a premium could impose on migrant workers, it was decided that the additional Rs. 1.4 million required for each eligible death compensation claim would be borne by the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund (Workers’ Welfare Fund) of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.
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.
Death Compensation Data from 2022 to 2024
According to data on death compensation claims submitted by migrant workers registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment between 2022 and 2024:
| Year | Registered Migrant Workers | Death Compensation Claims | Claims Paid | Death Rate | Compensation Paid (Rs.) |
| 2022 | 310,948 | 124 | 109 | 0.04% | 60,253,000.00 |
| 2023 | 297,585 | 210 | 189 | 0.07% | 106,650,000.00 |
| 2024 | 314,763 | 253 | 199 | 0.08% | 112,200,000.00 |
Based on these figures, it has been estimated that approximately Rs. 231 million per year will be required to meet the additional compensation payments under the new scheme.
The Board of Directors of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has granted approval to provide the relevant compensation payments through the Migrant Workers’ Welfare Fund, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the country.
Applicable to Deaths Occurring on or After 25 June 2025
Accordingly, the additional compensation will be payable in respect of eligible deaths of registered migrant workers occurring on or after 25 June 2025.
The special death compensation award programme was held with the participation of Hon. Vijitha Herath, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; Hon. 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.
Through this initiative, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment aims to further strengthen the welfare, financial security and social protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers and their families.
