64 SL migrant workers have died from COVID-19: SLBFE

COLOMBO (News 1st): A total of 64 Sri Lankan migrant workers have so far died from contracting COVID-19, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said on Sunday (Oct. 04) A Sri Lankan who was employed at a garment factory in Jordan, died on Friday, after contracting COVID-19, Mangala Randeniya, the Media Spokesperson at the Bureau said. According to Randeniya, more than 350 Sri Lankan migrant workers employed at the same garment factory, have tested positive for the virus and are quarantined at a centre near the dead sea, located in the Jordan Rift Valley. Over 2600 migrant workers in total have so far tested positive for COVID-19. All Sri Lankan missions overseas are focused on the wellbeing of these workers, Randeniya emphasized. The programme to provide compensation worth Rs. 500,000 on behalf of the migrant workers who died from contracting COVID-19, is currently underway Mangala Randeniya further noted; adding that the compensation will be paid to their families.