Drop in number of Sri Lankans

Dubai: There has been a 20 per cent slow down in the number of Sri Lankans working in garment factories in the UAE, said the Sri Lankan Consul General Wasantha Senanayake.

"This is because of the increase in the wages of garment factory workers by the Sri Lankan government. Garment factory workers do not find this market lucrative anymore. Also there have been new market openings for them in Cyprus, Korea and Japan," he said.

The majority of garment factory workers who work in small factories in Sharjah and Ajman are from the island country but their numbers are fast dwindling as a result of improved conditions back home.

"Another important factor is the closure of many garment factories in the UAE. Workers are aware of the situation and do not shy away from dictating their terms and prefer to stay back and earn a living. Currently a garment factory worker in Sri Lanka is paid 12,000 Sri Lankan rupees (Dh415)," he said.

Sitting outside their accommodation, Nalini, 32, and Maya, 28, from Sri Lanka count their savings and talk of plans of returning to their home country next year.

Both women are from Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. They have been working as garment factory workers for the past three years in a small factory in Sharjah for monthly wages of Dh550 which can go up Dh800 depending on the hours of overtime put in by them.

Of the 15 Sri Lankans who had been working in the factory when they first arrived three years ago, only seven of them are left today.

"Things have improved for us in our country. Many of our friends who have been working with us over here have gone back and they are very happy. We plan to go back next year and work in a garment factory located near Negambo," said Maya. "The most important thing is that I will be with my family," she added.