Lankan migrant workers’ jobs secure

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

The jobs of Sri Lankan migrant workers are secure and no employee has returned to the country due to the impact of the global recession, said Chairman, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, (SLFEB), Kingsley Ranawaka.

He said around 1.5 million Sri Lankans are employed overseas and there is no direct threat to their jobs due to the world economic slow down. The global financial crisis has adversely affected the economies of many countries and industries have slashed the number of employees and working hours to mitigate the impact of the crisis.

Many Sri Lankans are employed in the construction sector in Middle East countries. Work on major construction projects has come to a halt due to the crisis.

There had been reports that the jobs of Sri Lankan migrant workers in the Middle East construction sector have been affected and that many are about to return to Sri Lanka.

However, the Bureau has not received such information and that the jobs of Sri Lankans are secure.

Ranawaka said the jobs of migrant workers will be affected if the global economic turmoil does not settle by mid June. The Bureau has cautioned migrant workers about the world economic situation and that if the problem aggravates they may have to find alternative jobs.

The SLFEB will venture into new markets this year for skilled workers which are in demand in many countries. Romania, Poland, Libya, Italy and Canada are some of the new destinations for Sri Lankan skilled workers.

He said the Bureau will sign agreements if there are labour restrictions in countries. The job categories will depend on market forces.

The SLFEB has launched a series of welfare activities for families of migrant workers. The number of houses built for disabled workers will be increased this year. Houses were built depending on the condition of the disabled worker.

The children of migrant workers who secured the highest marks at the Grade 5 examination will be granted scholarships. Exposure on overseas job markets will be given to those seeking foreign employment.

The chairman said the Bureau will grade foreign employment agencies this year to improve their quality of services and stop exploiting those seeking foreign employment.