MoU to provide over 55,000 jobs in Qatar

By Ananda Kannangara

Sri Lankan workers will secure over 55,000 jobs in Qatar during the next ten months with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries on January 9 (Wednesday) in Colombo.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Labour Minister Dr. Sultan Bin Assah Al Dhabit Donsari will sign the MoU on behalf of Sri Lanka and Qatar.

According to statistics at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign employment (SLBFE), at least 130,000 Sri Lankans are currently employed in Qatar and 60 per cent of them are engaged in professional job categories.

Minister Rambukwella said that in addition to the MoU, signed with Qatar on Wednesday, four other MoUs will be signed with Saudi Arabia, Libya, Lebanon and Korea during the next three months.

"We hope over 150,000 foreign jobs will be available for Lankan workers in these countries before December this year and all selections will be carried out by the SLBFE in a transparent manner."

Responding to a question, the Minister said that those interested can send their applications to the Bureau by post or e-mail. The majority of jobs in Qatar are for skilled workers, engaged in the fields of construction, trading and shipping.