Before You Sign a Foreign Job Contract: 12 Things Sri Lankans Should Check
13 Oct 2026
Working abroad has helped hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankan families build homes, educate children and start businesses. But the contract you sign before leaving decides how you will be treated for the next two or more years. Many problems faced by migrant workers – unpaid wages, longer hours, different jobs – can be traced back to a contract that was not read or not understood. Use this checklist before you sign anything.
Before the contract: check the agency
Foreign employment agencies in Sri Lanka must be licensed by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Before you pay anything or hand over your passport, confirm that the agency's licence is valid and that the job order (the employer's request) has been approved. Workers going abroad for employment are also required to register with the SLBFE, which provides insurance and support services. Never go through an unlicensed "sub-agent" who only operates by phone.
The 12-point contract checklist
1. Your employer's full name and address
The contract should name the actual employer abroad – the company or household you will work for – not only the recruiting agency.
2. Job title and duties
Your job title should match what you were promised and what is on your visa. A contract for a "cook" should not say "general worker". Ask for a list of main duties.
3. Basic salary and currency
The monthly salary should be stated clearly, in the currency in which it will be paid. Check whether it is basic salary only or includes allowances.
4. Payment method and date
How will you be paid – bank transfer or cash – and on what date each month? Bank payments are easier to prove if there is a dispute.
5. Working hours and days off
Look for daily working hours, weekly rest days and overtime rates. "As required by the employer" is too vague.
6. Accommodation and food
Is accommodation provided free? Is food provided, or is there a food allowance? Shared accommodation should be described.
7. Contract period and renewal
Note the start and end dates, the probation period and how the contract can be renewed.
8. Air tickets
Who pays for your ticket to the country, and your return ticket at the end of the contract? This should be in writing.
9. Medical care and insurance
Check whether medical treatment is covered by the employer and what happens if you are ill or injured.
10. Leave
Look for annual leave, sick leave and whether leave is paid. For long contracts, check whether a home visit is included.
11. Termination and end-of-service benefits
How can either side end the contract early? What notice is required? Are end-of-service payments provided under local law?
12. Your documents
Your passport is your property. The contract should not allow anyone to keep it permanently. Keep photocopies and scanned copies of your passport, visa and contract with your family in Sri Lanka.
Language and copies
If the contract is in a language you cannot read, ask for a translation in Sinhala or Tamil, or have a trusted person explain it. Never sign a blank page or a document you have not read. Always keep a signed copy of the contract for yourself and leave another copy with your family.
Money: what you should and should not pay
- Ask for a written receipt for every payment, with the agency's name and licence number.
- Do not pay large cash amounts to individuals or into personal accounts.
- Be suspicious of agents who promise jobs in countries with very strict entry rules for a "special fee".
Before you leave
- Register with the SLBFE as required.
- Save the contact numbers of the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate in the destination country.
- Leave copies of all documents and your employer's details with your family.
- Learn basic phrases in the local language and about the country's laws and customs.
- Agree on regular contact times with your family.
If something goes wrong abroad
Contact the Sri Lankan embassy or consulate and the SLBFE. Keep evidence: payslips, messages, photos of your accommodation, and your contract. Families in Sri Lanka can also make complaints to the SLBFE on your behalf.
This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Rules for foreign employment can change; confirm details with the SLBFE.
See current foreign job vacancies on JobPortal LK – and always verify the agency before you apply.
