Duty-free allowances to expatriate workers at airport increased from May 1: Minister

Duty-free allowances for expatriate workers given at the airport will be increased from May 1, and a circular notifying this has been issued, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

While addressing the media at the Government Information Department yesterday, he said a memorandum was presented to the cabinet seeking approval to increase the duty-free allowance and it was approved.

Later, the Labour Ministry issued the relevant circular. According to this circular, expatriate workers who send money to Sri Lanka legally through the banking network are eligible to receive an increased duty-free allowance.

The amount of money sent through the banking network since the first of May last year will be taken into account, and this concession will be given under five categories.

Workers who have remitted between US$ 2400-4799 will get an additional duty free allowance of US$600 and the expats who have remitted between US$ 4,800 – US$ 7,199 will get an additional allowance of US$960. 

Workers who have sent between US$7,200 – US$ 11,999 will receive an additional duty free allowance of US$ 1,440. Expatriate workers who have remitted between US$ 12,000 – US$ 23,999 would get a US$ 2,400 and workers who have sent US$ 24,000 or more can get an additional US$ 4,800 duty free allowance.

Also, Cabinet approval was received to introduce a low interest loan system for expatriate workers last week. Accordingly, the workers can get loan facilities up to two million rupees. 

The President presented his observations to the Cabinet and informed the Cabinet that a programme should be implemented for the workers who have returned to this country after working abroad. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)