By Sarah Hannan The survey launched by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to gather data from returning migrant workers following the Covid-19 global pandemic is still in progress, SLBFE Chairman Kamal Ratwatte confirmed. "As long as migrant workers continue to return to Sri Lanka due to the prevailing situation prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, this survey will continue. All migrant workers who are sent to quarantine centres are required to fill the online form that was made available since March on our e-service portals," Ratwatte noted. The purpose of the survey, as explained by the SLBFE, is to gather information on the shortcomings that the migrant workers faced during this global health crisis. Furthermore, the bureau is to also assess the needs of these returnees and understand their employment status following the pandemic. "Some of the returnees are still able to return to their jobs, and we have been informed that they will be returning to their jobs once the situation is under control in the respective countries. At the moment, clearance to return is only issued by some countries in the European region," Ratwatte elaborated. Unfortunately, most of the migrant workers who are returning might not be able to return for a considerable amount of time, with the majority of them being migrant workers from the Middle Eastern region, the SLBFE noted. During the survey, the SLBFE is also looking to assess the livelihood needs of this category of workers and encourage them to look at employment opportunities within the country, until they are able to return. On a positive note, countries such as Japan and South Korea have expressed their interest to commence recruitment, and opportunities on the same will be published by the SLBFE accordingly.