Policy paper

Memorandum of understanding on the recruitment of Sri Lankan healthcare professionals between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (text only)

Published 9 May 2022

Memorandum of understanding between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain And Northern Ireland and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in healthcare cooperation

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, hereinafter referred to as the participants:

• desiring to enhance their bilateral relations in respect of health care policy

• sharing the mutual commitment to observe fair, ethical and sustainable recruitment for the employment of Sri Lankan healthcare professionals in the UK

• considering the importance of ensuring well-regulated and fair migration through mutual cooperation and recruitment of healthcare professional

• desiring to ensure commitment to training and development of healthcare professionals recruited from Sri Lanka to the UK

• recognising the importance of exchanging knowledge and expertise between the participants through cooperation in healthcare

• further recognising that healthcare professionals recruited from Sri Lanka to the National Health Service (NHS) employment in the UK have an opportunity to enhance their skills and explore best practices

have decided as follows:

Paragraph 1

The participants will endeavour to cooperate in the development of the delivery of healthcare through recruitment and employment of Sri Lankan nurses and other healthcare professionals, including but not limited to physiotherapists, radiographers, and midwives, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in accordance with their respective existing national laws and regulations.

Paragraph 2

For the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Implementing Agencies for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka will be the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) on behalf of the State Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Market Diversification, and the Ministry of Health. For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Implementing Agency will be the Department of Health and Social Care.

Paragraph 3

The participants will undertake a recruitment project, hereinafter referred to as the ‘project’, among the respective implementing agencies. The project will be carried out as follows:

(a) to develop a sustainable recruitment pathway, for the recruitment of Sri Lankan nurses and other healthcare professionals, from Sri Lanka to the UK

(b) to intensify bilateral exchanges of policy thinking with regard to nursing and healthcare workforce development and best practices in the delivery of healthcare

(c) to involve professional staff and healthcare managers in the project, particularly in relation to education and training of Sri Lankan nurses and other healthcare professionals to be recruited to the NHS

(d) to draw up an action agenda to implement the project, especially with respect to addressing any gaps in the entire process of recruitment of nurses and other healthcare professionals

Paragraph 4

4.1 Participants will establish a joint committee comprising officials not exceeding 4 members from each side to perform the following functions:

(a) share best practices in healthcare recruitment, development and delivery

(b) identify other ways of cooperation in the field of recruitment of Sri Lankan healthcare professionals from Sri Lanka for employment in the UK

(c) draw up implementing protocols for the implementation of the provisions of this framework MOU

4.2 The joint committee requires at least one member from each side to be quorate.

4.3 The joint committee will meet annually either virtually or in person. Additional meetings may be called when the need arises.

Paragraph 5

Any dispute between the participants arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this memorandum of understanding will be settled by consultation at official level, or in discussion with the joint committee.

Paragraph 6

Any amendment or revision to the text of this memorandum of understanding will be made by mutual consent of the participants, in written form and seeking appropriate sign off from MOU signatories, in accordance with paragraph 7 of this memorandum of understanding.

Paragraph 7

7.1 This memorandum of understanding will come into effect on the date of signing by the participants.

7.2 This memorandum of understanding will remain in effect for a period of 4 years and thereafter it will be automatically renewed for a similar period, unless and until either participant notifies the other participant of its intention to terminate it in writing through diplomatic channels. Such termination will be effective 30 days after the date of such notification.

7.3 The termination of this memorandum of understanding will not affect ongoing activities or projects undertaken under it until they are fully implemented, unless the participants decide otherwise.

Signed in duplicate at Colombo on 18 January 2022, in English and Sinhala languages, both texts having equal validity. In the event of divergence in interpretation the English text will prevail.