Social training for male expat workers

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Over 175,000 Sri Lankan male workers who are seeking foreign employment opportunities annually in the Middle Eastern countries will be given a compulsory five-day social training by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) commencing from July 15.This social training is currently given only for Sri Lankan female workers.SLBFE, Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer that under the training program, the workers will be taught Arabic, English and Hindi, labour rules and regulations, social and cultural background of the respective countries, where they are to be employed.

"In addition, the workers are also given a special vocational training on their job categories, educating them on health and insurance policies of each country and the importance of looking after the interest of their families during their stay abroad.The Chairman said in addition to this social training, advanced skills development programs are conducted for unskilled workers by the Vocational Training Ministry.