Lanka's construction industry more lucrative than ME
by Ranil WIJAYAPALA
The fast growing construction industry has encouraged Sri Lankans
employed in the Middle East as unskilled workers to return to the island
and raise more income, Secretary to Ministry of Construction,
Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities, Gotabhaya Jayaratne
told the Sunday Observer.
He said, in 2011 the construction industry showed the second highest
growth of 17.3 percent which is second only to tourism industry with 30
percent growth.
He said there is a huge shortage of skilled manpower in the
construction industry and vocational training programs conducted by
various vocational training institutions and other organisations could
not meet the demand, the Secretary added.
"At present we have a difficulty in recruiting skilled personnel to
the construction industry and hence we have given top priority to this
sector. We even have collaboration programs with local and international
agencies to get skilled human resources to the construction industry",
he said.
"The institution for Construction Training and Development (ICTAD)
had given priority to train more than 7,500 skilled personnel last year,
but we still need skilled personnel for the construction industry", he
said.
"Tremendous opportunities have been provided in the country after a
long time. Instead of going to Middle East countries as labourers people
could now get employment in their mother country with higher salaries,
he said.
He also said that Government is also trying to retain skilled
personnel such as engineers in the State sector by increasing their
salaries and allowances.
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