New job vistas in Bahrain for Lankans

Rasika Somaratne

COLOMBO: Bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Bahrain will receive a further boost today with the signing of a memorandum of understanding which would open new opportunities in the foreign employment sector.

In addition, a delegation of Government officials and investors from Bahrain are expected to hold talks on opening trade agreements in a variety of spheres.

The exchange of the MOU would take place today with the Bahrain Labour Minister Dr. Majeed Bin Mohiseen Al Alavi signing on behalf of his country and Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella representing Sri Lanka.

The delegation met President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister Rambukwella yesterday. They discussed welfare measures for Lankans working in Bahrain and further employment opportunities.

According to Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) sources, with the new agreement between the two countries, more lucrative employment opportunities would be offered to Lankans with enhanced protocol on migrant worker rights and welfare.

The two countries are also expected to launch a combined training programme to develop manpower in a variety of skills and expertise which is in high demand in the Bahrain labour market.

According to SLFEB sources there are around 30,000 Lankan migrant workers in Bahrain. With the latest efforts the numbers are expected to grow with emphasis on skilled workers with better perks.