More Korean jobs for Lankan youths

* Over 1,500 jobs in last four months

* Nearly 10,000 Lankans pass selection test

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

South Korea has provided employment opportunities to over 2,000 Sri Lankan job seekers who have passed the selection tests in 2010 and 2011, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) sources said yesterday.

According to SLBFE chairman Amal Senadhilankara,1,527 Sri Lankans migrated to South Korea during the last four months, whereas the number of Sri Lankans migrating to South Korea during the corresponding period last year was only 1,370.

He said this is a remarkable improvement. A total of 5,846 Sri Lankans found jobs in South Korea in 2011. The SLBFE expects this number to increase this year. According to SLBFE sources, the details of 9,998 Sri Lankans who passed the selective test in 2011 held to select eligible persons for jobs in South Korea have been already computerized.

“The valuable services rendered by Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Dilan Perera and the transparency of the selection method of youths for these jobs has provided Sri Lankans with a large number of job opportunities. Sri Lanka has become the best country which provides workers to South Korea, “Senadhilankara said.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa had received a token of appreciation from the South Korean government for the worker efficiency of Sri Lankans,”the chairman said.

“During the first quarter of this year, 69,000 Sri Lankans migrated for foreign employment to countries than South Korea. In 2011, 263,000 workers went for foreign employment and brought the country around USD 5.2 billion in foreign exchange. This figure is expected to increase this year,”he further explained.