ALFEA, which represents licensed recruitment agencies facilitating overseas employment for thousands of Sri Lankan workers annually, has not conducted an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or held elections for four consecutive years. The last properly convened AGM was held in 2022.
Under Section 56 of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act No. 21 of 1985, the Executive Committee’s term of office is limited to one year, and regulations require that an AGM be held annually. However, internal disputes within the Executive Committee have resulted in prolonged delays.
Legal proceedings initiated by the Assistant Secretary against the Executive Committee led to a Magistrate’s Court order restraining the holding of an AGM until the final determination of the case. Although attempts were later made to reach a settlement, a separate legal case concerning the suspension of an ALFEA member was subsequently filed and remains pending before court. As a result, overlapping legal disputes have left the association without elections for an extended period.
While judicial orders are required to be respected, stakeholders point out that the prolonged legal impasse has created a governance vacuum within a statutory association operating in a critical economic sector.
During the tenure of the current committee, more than 30,000 domestic workers were reportedly deployed overseas. Although this reflects continued sector activity, the same period saw industry-wide discussions regarding alleged irregular payment mechanisms and unethical operational practices.
Regulatory scrutiny during this time led to the temporary suspension of eight licensed recruitment offices, highlighting compliance concerns within the system. Observers note that while each suspension may involve specific circumstances, the broader situation raises questions about oversight and institutional accountability.
ALFEA functions within the regulatory framework of the SLBFE and is expected not only to represent license holders but also to uphold ethical standards and safeguard the credibility of Sri Lanka’s foreign employment industry.
Members have also raised concerns over the handling of family background documentation, insurance-related complaints, and the transparency of internal grievance mechanisms. Some stakeholders claim that decision-making has become concentrated within a limited group, reducing wider member participation.
Industry observers warn that the continued inability to conduct elections, present annual accounts through a statutory AGM, and facilitate leadership renewal risks eroding confidence a
