The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has issued new requirements for women with children who are looking for overseas employment.

A special notice issued by the SLBFE notes that women with children between the ages of 2-18 will be required to submit the DS4 document issued by their relevant Divisional Secretariats.

However, the DS4 document will only be issued if the women can get their SLBFE job applications attested by their area Grama Sevaka Officer and recognized Notary, as well as guarantee documents by guardians about their children’s safety and education arrangements.

Women without children will be required to submit a document claiming they do not have children to the Divisional Secretariat. Documents about the responsibilities of children of women traveling overseas for employment are valid only for 09 months, the SLBFE stated.

Women over the age of 45 years, and those requesting for various re-entry visas will be exempted from this regulation while women with children under the age of 2 years will not be permitted to apply for overseas employment.