“Sri Lankan migrant workers speak out over worsening social conditions”

…While the Sri Lankan government is encouraging people to seek work abroad to boost the country’s foreign exchange earnings, it has not taken any steps to protect workers from ruthless exploitation and harassment, particularly in the Middle East…

Priyantha, a former resident of Negombo, was given refugee status in Italy because of the economic crisis and collapse of the Sri Lanka’s tourist industry, following the 2019 Easter terrorist bomb attacks in 2019.

“I came to Italy just two years ago and am currently working for a cleaning company owned by a Sri Lankan. I’m working very hard and must clean about seven large five-storied housing complexes per day. My working hours exceed 16 hours per day but am only paid €6 per hour,” he said…

Prime Minister Georgia Meloni’s government, he said, was slashing migrant workers’ rights as well as cutting welfare to the unemployed…

…now Canadian workers are facing the consequences of the global economic crisis…

In Oman, scores of Sri Lankan workers are being held in detention camps run by the Omani government …

…Confronted with an escalating crisis of global capitalism, governments, corporate big business, and wealthy employers everywhere are imposing the most brutal forms of labour exploitation…