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| Thursday, 18 March 2004 |
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Steady rise in foreign jobs, thanks to PA foresight by a correspondent The foreign employment sector made steady progress during the PA regime from 1994 to 2001, following the Government's efforts to obtain a large number of employment opportunities in the Middle East. Foreign employment remained one of the major sources of foreign exchange to the country. Despite setbacks such as the reduction of flights and delayed departures due to the terrorist attack on the Katunayaka International Airport, the number of persons leaving for greener pastures increased during this period, according to official sources. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), reports the registered number of departures for foreign employment increased to around 184,000 during 2001 compared to 181,000 in 2000 and exceeded the projected target of 183,750 for 2001, due to timely interventions and the efforts of all stakeholders in minimising the adverse effects in external issues. The total number of licensed recruitment agencies increased by 83 in 2001 to 528. Similarly, the share of foreign employment placements through licensed agencies increased to 72 percent during 2001, from 70 percent in 2000. The greater confidence placed in licensed agencies by migrant workers, mainly reflected the impact of improvements in regularisation and supervision of employment agencies by the SLBFE. The share of licensed agencies placed out of Colombo rose from 35 percent in 2000 to 38 percent at end 2001 and may have directly contributed to improving access to licensed agencies by potential job seekers. The categories of foreign employment placements did not indicate any significant change in distribution. The Government through the SLBFE continued with a number of schemes to facilitate migrant workers and their families. The award of 1,750 scholarships and distribution of school material to children of migrant workers and arrangement of housing and self-employment loans through People's Bank were some of the facilities provided by the SLBFE. Furthermore the SLBFE paid Rs. 3.9 million to the People's Bank as a subsidy payment on interest for loans taken by migrant workers from the People's Bank under the 'Videshika' loan scheme. The PA Government also took initiatives to explore other more lucrative foreign employment markets in the developed world and at the end of 2001, the Government was engaged in a discussion with many such countries. Having realised that lack of English proficiency and lack of technical qualifications were two major setbacks to get more jobs in the skilled sectors, the Government launched several programs to train youth in these skills. Foreign employment 1997 - 150,283 1998 - 159,816 1999 - 179,114 2000 - 181,370 2001 - 184,000 (Source: Central Bank report 2001) |
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