Way out for boat people

There is some good news for boat people or those braving the fiery waters of the oceans in crowded boats in search of employment in distant lands such as Australia. The Australian Government is exploring the possibility of getting down around 200, 000 Sri Lankan unskilled labourers through legal means. It is reported that a high ranking Australian representative is discussing the matter with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment and other relevant authorities.

Perhaps, the Australian authorities may have been moved by the plight of those who are trying to enter their shores illegally. It was only two or three days ago that a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Australian waters. Only a few could be saved.

Big time smugglers dealing with human trafficking are exploiting the poverty and destitution of innocent persons and luring them to undertake the risky boat ride in search of greener pastures.

Negombo has become a centre from where such boats sail off secretly. Time and again the police have arrested the emigrants but the practice goes on unabated. Actually, these hapless victims are staking their lives and the future, and join such arduous expeditions due to despair. They are being duped by swindlers for whom it is lucrative business.

It is mostly unskilled labour that fall prey to these swindlers. It is necessary to carry out awareness campaigns for possible victims. Dangers of such efforts to seek entry to foreign lands on the sly, including arrest, incarceration and even death on the high seas should be made known to persons liable to fall victim and their families.

The best way out for such boat people is to find a legal way out. It is such a way out that the Australian authorities are proposing. They should be thanked for their humanitarian gesture. One could also recall how Italy too provided such a legal way out for those aspiring to find employment in Italy, though the number of positions offered was much less.

The demand for unskilled labour, however, is not likely to go up in foreign lands. On the contrary, it is most likely to come down. Besides unskilled labourers are being thrown out of jobs in most developed countries due to the effects of the global financial crisis.

Hence, the Australian offfer, at best, could only be a temporary and partial solution to the problem. A permanent answer could come only from developing the country, expanding the productive sectors of the economy, especially industries. Providing unskilled labour with skill development opportunities is also a temporary but necessary measure to lure them away from the dangerous practice of seeeking greener pastures in distant lands stealthily undertaking highly risky sea adventures.

Going to prison for holidays

Malaysia has come up with a new tourism promotion package. Believe it or not, it seems very novel and original. It is called Prison Package or rather it offers a three - day prison holiday for all tourists willing to pay a price.

Until now the general perception of a prison is where the inmates are fed at state expense. Yet according to the proposed package they have to be paid for. What more, they have to don the prison outfit and take prison meals.

In fact a new prison is being built in the State of Malacca at a cost of 87 million dollars to accommodate tourists.

The authorities here could take a cue from their Malaysian counterparts. They could offer a similar package to some of the prison inmates who at present wish to avoid the inconvenience of prison life. There were instances when certain influential politicos and others who land themselves in prison for various reasons trying to bribe authorities for a few comforts they miss during internment.

They need not enter the prison hospital or the Government hospital any more. They could buy their room, with or without air-conditioning, five-star menu, Wi-fi facilities, pop music, home-theatre systems, wireless telephones etc. at a price commensurate with their ‘status’. The ordinary mortals, common criminals, and the rest that are housed in the normal prisons would have no reason to complain.

If they have any more room left they could also incarcerate the unruly politicos ala Mutuhettigama too and ask them to pay for their safe custody.