‘Korea selects youths for jobs, not politicians’

Raja Waidyasekera - Tissamaharama special corr

The Foreign Employment Bureau is concentrating on the provision of job avenues only in Korea said Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister, Dilan Perera.

The minister was addressing journalists of the Hambantota District at a meeting at Kiralakele Resort Hotel in Ambalantota, held to promote a constructive media approach for better awareness of labour migration.

He said: “Stories have spread that politicians were providing Korean jobs to their party supporters.

“Politicians only distribute a certain amount of applications to eligible youths to follow the Korean language. “Korean language is essential for Korean jobs, and Korea selects suitable youths, not local politicians.

“We have taken steps to discourage women from going to foreign countries for domestic service, because family life of such migrants are shattered and children and spouses left destitute.

“A colossal sum is drained to foreign countries due to children being sent for higher education. To prevent it foreign universities and educational institutions should be allowed to be set up branches in Sri Lanka.

“The Foreign Employment Bureau issues licences to foreign employment agencies to conduct recruitments outside Sri Lanka.” Information Director Wasantha Priya Ramanayake, Deputy General Manager A K V Rohana, Welfare Officer Mangala Randeniya and Manager, Publicity and Public Relations Kalyana Priya Ramanayake were present.