Only skilled workers for foreign jobs - Dilan

Suraj A. Bandara

Only skilled workers will be sent for foreign employment in the future. An accelerated program will be implemented to send the skilled workers in place of unskilled workers Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera said.

A prior overseas training will be mandatory for everyone who aspire to go abroad for employment, he said.

He was addressing Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) employees after opening a new office for the Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Ministry at the Foreign Employment Bureau last week.

A consolidated effort will be made together with Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry to promote only skilled labour for the foreign employment.

The age limit will also be strictly confined to only persons above 21.

No underage persons will be sent for overseas jobs, Perera said.

“After A-L examinations, students can focus on technical and vocational training and be prepared according to the demand of foreign jobs.

Through this program, Sri Lanka will gain more recognition and there will be a demand for Sri Lankan skilled labour”, he said. Minister opened the office at the SLBFE building to expedite the service in relation to problems and the welfare activities of migrant workers.

This office will directly interfere with any migrant issues since this is located in the same premises.

An operational compartment that will function 24 hours will be launched to intercommunicate with problems between the migrant workers and the Sri Lankan officials, he said.

The proposed pension scheme for migrant workers presented in the budget will also come into effect soon. The pension will be paid to all who complete the required time period as an employee abroad. New sub foreign employment agencies will be set up throughout the island, the Minister said.

Irrigation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva participating at the duties ceremony said it is a privilege to the Badulla district to get another powerful Ministry to the district.

SLBFE Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka, Foreign Employment Agency Company Chairman Asanga Gunasekara and Ministry Secretary Colonel Nissanka Wijerathna also participated.