Talks on the welfare of Sri Lankan workers in Romania

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Romania, H.E. Samantha Pathirana, has recently met with Romulus Badea, President of the Employers’ Association of Labour Importers in Romania. The talks have focused on the welfare of Sri Lankan workers in Romania, the new labour legislation in this country and other areas of mutual interest. The Ambassador has highlighted the importance of Romania as a destination for Sri Lankan workers and the challenges some of them are faced with, due to non-compliance with contractual terms by some employers.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to Romania, H.E. Samantha Pathirana, has recently met with Romulus Badea, President of the Employers’ Association of Labour Importers in Romania. The talks have focused on the welfare of Sri Lankan workers in Romania, the new labour legislation in this country and other areas of mutual interest. The Ambassador has highlighted the importance of Romania as a destination for Sri Lankan workers and the challenges some of them are faced with, due to non-compliance with contractual terms by some employers.

The President of the Association has underlined that employers must comply with legal obligations, while migrant workers should meet their commitments. He is optimistic about the upcoming labour legislation, due to be issued later this year, which could address many of the current challenges on the labour market. Badea has emphasised the importance of implementing a bilateral Social Security Agreement to protect the rights of migrant workers and ensure fair treatment. The Ambassador has said a proposal addressing such issues is currently under consideration.

We recall that on March 3, 2026, the Minister of Labour of Romania, Florin Manole, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism of Sri Lanka, Vijitha Herath, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of labour. The document aims to strengthen bilateral relations in the field of labour and social protection, also by fostering the exchange of information, experience and good practices. The two officials agreed to promote an ethical and regulated recruitment process. The main goal is to guarantee workers’ rights and improve working conditions. The Sri Lankan side announced the appointment of an attaché on labour and social issues, who will work within the Embassy in Bucharest.

According to the Labour Inspectorate, as many as 21,287 Sri Lankan workers had active individual labour contracts in Romania, at the end of February 2026.