By Michael . R. Joachim –

As Sri Lanka begins shaping its National Budget for 2027, a critical question confronts policymakers, legislators, and the public alike: Can the country afford to continue overlooking the very people who have kept its economy afloat during its darkest hours?

Labour migrants—often described as the “backbone” of the economy—are far more than a social group in need of welfare. They are, in fact, one of Sri Lanka’s most powerful and consistent economic sectors. Through their remittances, migrant workers inject billions into the national economy, stabilize foreign exchange reserves, and sustain millions of households across the country. During periods of economic crisis, when traditional revenue streams falter, it is migrant earnings that quietly prevent collapse.

Yet, despite this undeniable contribution, migration remains largely invisible in national planning. Budget allocations continue to treat migrant workers as a peripheral welfare concern rather than as strategic economic actors.

This imbalance is not only unjust—it is economically short-sighted.

A Structural Blind Spot in National Planning

The current approach to migration in Sri Lanka’s budgeting framework is fragmented and reactive. There is no dedicated budget line that recognizes migration as a sector. There is no integrated “Migration and Development” strategy. And perhaps most critically, there is little institutional recognition of migrant communities and grassroots networks that work directly with affected families.

The result? A policy vacuum where one of the country’s largest economic contributors operates without a coherent national investment strategy.   This is not merely a bureaucratic oversight—it is a structural failure that limits Sri Lanka’s ability to maximize the full development potential of migration.

The Reality Behind the Remittances

Behind every dollar sent home is a complex human story—often one of sacrifice, risk, and resilience. Sri Lankan migrant workers face multiple vulnerabilities such as,

Exploitative recruitment practices ,Unsafe working conditions abroad ,Limited legal protection and Family separation and long-term social consequences

At home, the impact is equally profound. Children grow up without parents, elderly family members take on caregiving roles beyond their capacity, and women—who make up a significant share of migrant workers—face gender-specific risks both abroad and upon return. These are not isolated social issues; they are systemic consequences of an economic model that relies on migration but fails to invest in its sustainability.

A Turning Point: Budget 2027

The upcoming budget presents a historic opportunity to correct this imbalance.

Voice of Migrants (VOM), a national network representing migrant societies across Sri Lanka, is calling for the establishment of a Comprehensive Migration-Focused Budget Framework—a structured, strategic approach that recognizes migration as a key pillar of national development. This is not about increasing welfare spending. It is about making smart, forward-looking investments that yield economic, social, and institutional returns.

What Needs to Change? Key Proposals

1. Reintegration and Returnee Support

With rising numbers of returnees due to global economic shifts, many migrants come back to unemployment and debt. A dedicated reintegration fund can transform returnees into entrepreneurs, skilled workers, and local economic drivers—rather than forcing them into cycles of distress migration.

2. Protection Through Insurance and Legal Support

A comprehensive insurance and legal aid system would protect migrant workers from exploitation and financial shocks, ensuring dignity and security for both workers and their families.

3. Supporting Families Left Behind

Migration is not an individual experience—it affects entire families. Investing in psychosocial services, education support for children, and care systems for the elderly will reduce long-term social costs.

4. Investing in Skills for Higher Earnings

Sri Lanka must move beyond exporting low-skilled labour. By investing in skills training, language proficiency, and international certification, the country can shift toward high-value migration—resulting in higher incomes and greater economic returns.

5. Data-Driven Governance

Without reliable data, effective policy is impossible. A national migration data system and digital registry would enable evidence-based decision-making and better service delivery.

6. Empowering Migrant Communities

Grassroots migrant societies are often the first responders to crises, yet they lack formal support. Recognizing and funding these community structures will strengthen governance and accountability.

7. Turning Remittances into Investment

Remittances are largely spent on consumption. With the right incentives, they can be redirected into small businesses, local infrastructure, and long-term development projects.

8. Ensuring Safe Migration Pathways

Stronger regulation of recruitment agencies and enforcement mechanisms will reduce exploitation and promote ethical migration practices.

9. A Gender-Responsive Approach

Women migrants face unique risks. Budget allocations must include safe housing, targeted training, and reintegration programmes that address their specific needs.

Why This Matters to Every Sri Lankan

This is not an issue that concerns only migrant families—it is a national priority.

When migrant workers are unsupported:

* The economy loses potential revenue

* Social systems face increased strain

* Cycles of poverty and vulnerability deepen

Conversely, when migration is properly managed and invested in:

* Household incomes rise

* Local economies grow

* National resilience strengthens

In simple terms, investing in migrants is investing in Sri Lanka’s future.

A Call for a Shift in Thinking

Sri Lanka must move:

From welfare to development – treating migration as an economic sector

From fragmentation to strategy – adopting a structured budget framework

From beneficiaries to partners – recognizing migrants as active contributors to national growth

Conclusion: Time to Match Words with Action

For decades, migrant workers have carried the weight of the nation’s economic survival—often without recognition, protection, or meaningful support.

The Budget  2027 is an unavoidable opportunity to change this situation.

If Sri Lanka is serious about inclusive growth, economic stability, and social justice, it must place migrant workers where they belong: at the center of national policy and investment.

If migrant workers are the backbone of the economy, then the national budget must become the backbone of support that sustains them.

*Michael Joachim, Executive Director, Voice of Migrants