Fair recruitment

Improving recruitment agency business practices in Sri Lanka

This study aims to provide recommendations for improving business practices in recruitment for foreign employment with a view to reducing the costs borne by migrant workers.

This study aims to understand the fees charged and costs borne by recruitment agencies in Sri Lanka, and thereby provide recommendations for improving business practices in recruitment for foreign employment and reducing the costs for migrant workers.

The three main objectives of the study are: (a) to analyse the existing modalities in the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers for foreign employment; (b) to understand the costs borne by recruitment agencies under each modality; and (c) to provide recommendations for agents and others involved in migration governance on how to reduce costs/shift these costs away from workers. To achieve these objectives, the study adopts a qualitative approach where primary data is collected via Key Informant Interviews in five districts in Sri Lanka spanning five employment sectors. The data collected is analysed in a descriptive approach to highlight dominant themes, patterns and connections.