Niloshan lives in the north of Sri Lanka. Because of the continuing civil war, job prospects are bad and there are hardly any opportunities for training or further education. He feels forced to leave his life here behind him and look for work in the Gulf States. He knows that emigrating is not easy. And he’s also worried about his family, who he has to leave behind. This is where the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation – the SDC – comes in. Because before he begins his journey, Niloshan goes to an advice centre that is funded by the SDC. He finds out which recruitment agencies are trustworthy and which aren't, and soon he finds a job in Qatar. He takes part in a workshop that prepares him for the situation over there. He is told what his rights and duties are; he is told about human trafficking and who he should contact in Qatar in an emergency.
Once Niloshan arrives in Qatar, he notices that other migrants haven't been given any sort of advice and have become victims of corruption or exploited by job agencies. He, on the other hand, gets a regular wage and can support his family back in Sri Lanka. After 12 years, Niloshan decides to return home.
His cousin, Sarita, and her father left in 1994 because of the civil war and fled to Switzerland. She recently has completed her higher education at a hotel management school. Sarita also sends money regularly to Sri Lanka.
Niloshan and Sarita are connected by their love for their homeland – and the dream of having their own beach restaurant one day. In Switzerland, Sarita has learned how to make this dream into a reality. Because she and Niloshan have been given good advice and sorted out their household finances well, they even have enough seed capital.
This is one of the concrete examples that shows how migration can contribute to development. If the structures are safe and well-organised, the potential brought about by migration can be used in both the host and home country. That is why Switzerland takes concrete action and promotes a global dialogue – such as at the UN – to make migration safe and bring benefits to all.
SDC – Switzerland taking action.
