Sri Lankan Labour Migrants in Romania: Work Conditions and Gendered Vulnerabilities

Romania has recently emerged as a destination for Sri Lankan labour migrants due to labour shortages in Eastern Europe and worsening economic conditions in Sri Lanka. Previous studies on migration to new European destinations have highlighted precarious employment, limited institutional protection, and gendered vulnerabilities; however, empirical evidence on Sri Lankan migrants in Romania remains limited. This study examines the drivers of migration, recruitment processes, working and living conditions, gendered challenges, and future migration aspirations of Sri Lankan labour migrants in Romania. The study is theoretically grounded in Push-Pull Theory, Dual Labour Market Theory, and Migration Systems Theory. Using a qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth interviews with thirty migrants, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and participant observation conducted in Romania and Italy between September and December 2025. The findings indicate that migration decisions in Sri Lanka are shaped by unemployment, indebtedness, and economic crisis, alongside pull factors such as labour demand and perceived opportunities for European mobility. Migrants experience precarious employment, misleading recruitment practices, language barriers, and limited institutional support. Gendered challenges are particularly evident among women, including restricted job mobility, housing insecurity, and reliance on informal support networks. Although Romania offers relative safety and income opportunities, dissatisfaction with labour conditions fuels aspirations for onward migration. The study highlights the need for stronger recruitment regulation, gender-responsive migration governance, and enhanced bilateral cooperation to promote safer and more sustainable labour migration pathways.