Japanese skills training for Lankan job seekers

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: Japan is expected to open up new vistas for prospective Lankan labour migrants by providing skills training in a variety of sectors to prepare them for future employment.

A high level delegation from the Japanese Industrial Training Corporation (JITCO) is expected in the country today to discuss with officials including Foreign Employment and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

According to sources at the Sri Lanka Bureau for Foreign Employment, Japan is expected to grant training opportunities for 1,000 Lankans every year, mainly in the mechanical and construction fields.

According to SLBFE Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka even though there is a high demand for skilled Lankan labour in the international market, authorities face difficulties in meeting the required numbers due to the dearth of manpower in the country. The latest initiative is expected to fill the vacuum to some extent by producing skilled labour armed with the latest international requirements.

SLBFE sources added that the JITCO delegation would hold talks with 10 private migrant labour recruitment agencies who have been given authority by the Bureau for providing migrant labour requirements to Japan.

According to Ranawaka, the Bureau is on the look out for all viable opportunities in the international labour market with emphasis on skilled manpower which would earn higher wages and perks.

The SLBFE recently has taken a number of steps to discourage the common practice of sending abroad unskilled domestic workers and to encourage skilled migrant labour for higher wages.

The Government recently signed MOUs with several countries regarding migrant worker rights, welfare and employment opportunities to strengthen matters pertaining to migrant labour.

Authorities signed MOUs with UAE, Jordan, Libya, Bahrain, Korea and Kuwait seeking better protocol on issues related to Sri Lankan migrant workers. Sri Lanka also plans to enter similar MOUs with Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Japan in the future.

According to latest statistics the Sri Lankan migrant worker fraternity is considered to be in the excess of 1.6 million with another 220,000 (average) new recruits joining the force annually.