The Ministry of Health is to formulate a Migration Health Policy for the benefit of some 1.8 million Sri Lankan migrant workers abroad and foreign workers here.

According to Health Ministry sources the decision was based on a recommendation made after a two-day workshop sponsored by the Health Ministry, World Health Organization and the International Organization for Migration.
The National Migration Polic

y would focus attention on preparing guidelines for workers’ safety, rights and working conditions not only of Sri Lankan migrant workers but also of foreigners working in Sri Lanka.

Special emphasis would be placed on Sri Lankan migrant workers serving in West Asia as they were the most vulnerable with a large number of work-related complaints, such as discrimination, abuse and even deaths, said the Ministry sources.