6. An Analysis of the Role of Street-Level Bureaucrats in Implementing the National Labor Migration Policy in Sri Lanka

Policy studies mainly deal with the steps involved in putting policies into action. Policymakers set the goals of a policy and expect street-level bureaucrats to implement the policy. In this linear process, the implementation stage has particular importance, and bureaucrats are its key players. This chapter therefore explores the ways in which street-level bureaucrats fulfill their role in implementing the National Labor Migration Policy in the Sri Lankan context. The research takes the form of a case study involving qualitative interviews with, among others, street-level bureaucrats in Sri Lanka’s Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), as they are the main stakeholders in implementing the labor migration policy. The findings show that the way in which they do their job has a significant impact on whether policy goals are achieved. SLBFE bureaucrats are expected to play a big role in implementing the policy and in ensuring the protection of migrant workers. However, it was discovered that their negative attitude to the target group, lacking motivation, lacking knowledge about the policy and its goals, and their mishandling of resources are factors that affect their role.