Foreign job seekers encroach SL job market - Minister Weerawansa

Ishara Mudugamuwa

There is a trend to lose local job opportunities for Sri Lankans due to the migration of foreign job seekers to Sri Lanka, said Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa.

Participating in the awards ceremony of Civil Security Department officers who completed the first phase of a mason skills training programme at Construction Equipment Training Centre recently, Minister Wimal Weerawansa said if there is not a skilled labour force in the country, it is unavoidable to keep job opportunities for Sri Lankans due to the prevailing peaceful situation and the future with plenty of opportunities.

"Some Indians who obtain tourist visa for four or five months hold top positions in private companies. Foreigners especially Indians come to Sri Lanka taking short term tourist visa to join with agricultural activities in Northern and Eastern areas such as Ampara, Vakarai", the minister said.

He said unemployment has become a major problem in the world. The unemployment rate of Spain is 14 percent and it is 15.16 percent in the USA. The unemployment rate of the UK has reached 10 percent. "Many unemployed persons try to find jobs not to get a good income but for vanity. Their attitudes should be changed to overcome future challenges", the minister said. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has taken steps to get solders for the development process of the country, he said. The Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Ministry has taken measures to provide training for 100 civil security officers through the Construction Equipment Training Centre. The ministry will train another 1,000 officers.

ICTAD chairman Udula Bandara Ausadahamy, CETRAC Managing Director H.M.Premaratne, Ministry Additional Secretaries D.C.S.Jayakody, B.G.S.Goonatilake, Civil Security Department Chief Inspector Jagath Wijesundara were also present.