Forex to surpass US$ 4 bn by end this year

By Shirajiv SIRIMANE

For the first time foreign remittance to Sri Lanka is expected to reach the US $ 4 billion mark by end of this year.

Foreign remittance which is Sri Lanka's number one foreign exchange earner was at US $ 3.8 billion until last month and is expected to pass the US $ four billion mark by the end of the year.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) Asanga Abayagoonasekara said that over 85 percent of this is coming from unskilled Lankan expatriate workers from the Gulf.

He said that in contract Philippines forex earning is over US S 18 billion and most of it comes via skilled workers employed in the hospitality trade, nursing and in other skilled jobs in the Gulf, Europe and USA..

He said that Sri Lanka should take a leaf from Philippines and shift towards the skilled sector.

He said that the Government too has acknowledged this fact and is discouraging 'house maids' going for overseas employment.

He said that one of the other major advantages from this shift is the higher take- home salary a Sri Lankan would get and also better working conditions.

Forex

"If Sri Lanka shifts gear to skilled workers the country can soon increase its forex earnings to a double digit."

Abeygoonasekara disclosed that for the first time a batch of 300 seasonal agricultural workers were provided employment in Israel.

This opportunity came Sri Lanka's way subsequent to a pilot project launched by the Government of Israel in agreement with Government of Sri Lanka. This is the first time that a large batch of workers found employment opportunities in Israel in one batch.

"Government of Israel recruits expatriate manpower only from countries where bilateral agreements for recruitment prevail between two respective countries," he said.

He said that the Israel agriculture pattern changes every six months and Sri Lanka workers would be provided employment for six months.

"However unlike in other foreign employment jobs each Sri Lankan employee would be paid in the excess of over Rs. 110, 000 per month with all expenses paid," he said.

He said this agreement has been formulated in such a way that the social fabric of the country would not have any negative impacts and also employer having more security and benefits. "They come back in six months with a salary in the excess of Rs. 700, 000 and if they perform well they will be called back again in six months," he said.

This is a pilot project and continuation and expansion of job opportunities lies mainly with these workers.

He said that the employee too is very responsible and the first thing they do is to open a bank account in the name of the Sri Lankan employer. They have to work according to stipulated hours and any working hours beyond that will be paid under extra hour rules.

The contract further stipulates rest time, food, accommodation, heat, water, kitchen equipment and other basic needs that have to be provided by the employer.

As in the case of Israel's workers they are entitled to resort to 'Labour Ombudsman' in Israel for their grievances and violation of employment rights.

Entrepreneurs

He also disclosed that entrepreneurs in Israel in the agricultural sector are treated in high esteem in society.

Farm mechanization and use of appropriate machinery and appliances, minimizing post harvest losses are very advanced in Israel and Sri Lankans can learn these techniques from them and even set up their own business in Sri Lanka.

Abayagoonasekara said the deployment of 300 workers to Israel is the third largest project handled by Sayuren Etherata Programme launched within four months of its commencement in June 2010 by the SLFEA.

It started with deployment of 40 factory workers to Malaysia followed by fulfilling a job order of 78 factory workers who are waiting to fly in early November 2010 to same destination.

SLEFA is now looking at more employment opportunities in the vehicle assembly plants and in other high tech companies.

The Chairman said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa who was former Minister of Labour took several meaningful steps to tap skilled labour. "We are now looking at the European and USA markets as well as the leisure sector," he said.

Employment opportunities especially in the Singapore cruise sector would be aggressively perused in the next few months. "We will be working closely with the Hotel school in this regard."

A total transformation from unskilled to skilled migrants will happen in this decade with the correct strategy. SLFEA will work closely with the Tharunyata Hetak movement, headed by MP Namal Rajapaksa as their main focus will be the youth of the country. "Our minister G.L. Peiris who is an academic is dedicated to take foreign employment of our nation to a higher plane."

Service

SLFEA a 100% Government owned institution, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), was established by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 1996 when he was serving as the Labour Minister. Its main aim is to provide an efficient and appropriate service to those seeking employment abroad, and serve as the primary recruitment agency in the country.

"In order to achieve this end, I have introduced a new initiative, titled Sayurin Etharata, consisting of four key elements.

These include: Building a consortium of training institutes, positioning Sri Lanka in the international market, safety and security and transparency."