Foreign jobs will hit two million mark, says Athauda

Arrangements are being made to increase foreign jobs up to two million. Out of this, 50,000 jobs will be provided in Korea, said Labour Minister Athauda Seneviratne.

"The number of persons engaged in foreign employment is about 1.2 million," the Minister told a meeting at the Foreign Employment Bureau auditorium yesterday in connection with handing over of airtickets and visa permits to 157 persons leaving for Korea as the 17th group for foreign jobs.

Seneviratne requested this group to live and work in Korea and earn foreign exchange to Sri Lanka safeguarding the Korean Government's rules and regulations.

"Persons found guilty in foreign countries will be sent to prisons in the countries they work. Discussions have been conducted with foreign countries to punish them within the Sri Lankan prison under the prisons exchange program," the Minister said. Seneviratne said he has made arrangements to provide a Rs. one million loan with five per cent interest for all persons leaving for foreign employment.

"One graduate per each Divisional Secretary Division has already been appointed to implement a programme for the benefit of family welfare and its development of those who have left for foreign jobs," the Minister added.