Around 60,000 Lankans to secure jobs in Libya

by Ananda KANNANGARA

[email protected]
 

The Libyan labour delegation led by Minister of Labour Matough Mohamed Matough arrived in the country yesterday to have discussions with several key Lankan ministers.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Kingsley Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer yesterday that according to the Labour delegation at least 60,000 Sri Lankan workers will secure employment in Libya during the next few months.

"We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Libya in May this year in Colombo and the first batch of Lankan workers is expected to go to Libya before the end of this month," he said.

Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and Labour Minister in Libya Matough Mohamed Matough signed the MoU on behalf of Sri Lanka and Libya.

According to statistics at least over 80,000 Sri Lankans are currently employed in Libya.

Ranawaka said that in addition, four other MoUs were also signed with Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Korea during the past few months.