SLFEA posts Rs.12m profit

by Shirajiv SIRIMANE

For the first time in its history, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) has posted a profit of Rs. 12 million up to the end of last month. The agency was running at a Rs. 23 million loss three years ago.

The main reason for the turnaround was the shift from sending unskilled labour to sending skilled Sri Lankans for overseas employment.

Chairman, SLFEA, Asanga Abayagoonasekara said that the agency started showing profits from last July and they were making steady progress since then.

He said that a batch of 300 seasonal agricultural workers from Sri Lanka was also sent to Israel and this program would continue. He said that this is the first time that a large batch of workers found employment opportunities in Israel.

The total charges levied to a worker by SLFEA on this recruitment are the minimum possible cost to a worker on foreign employment which is far below the charges levied by any recruitment agency in Sri Lanka.

This lowest charge included payments for documentation and registration for other services as well.

These workers could be re-deployed for employment after their timely return at the end of six months and satisfactory performance of work during employment period. It is up to the worker to decide whether to create his path for a brighter future by earning his next opportunity to work in Israel.

Impressive performance, discipline and other norms and standards in work will enhance job opportunities for more Sri Lankans. This is a pilot project and continuation and expansion of job opportunities lies mainly with these workers

Seventy female workers were also provided employment in Malaysia and they will leave early next month. "This is for a two year contract under stringent labour laws where they would have Sunday as a holiday and be paid over time," he said.

Each employee would earn around Rs. 50,000 per month and all expenses of the employee will be provided by the company in Malaysia.

Another batch of over 200 is being sent to Malaysia to work in vehicle electronic assembling and they would earn around Rs. 70,000 per month.

"We are currently looking at more employment opportunities in Malaysia and also exploring markets in other countries," he said.

The SLFEA Chairman said that under the Mahinda Chinthana program there is a shift from unskilled domestic helpers to skilled workers and professionals sent to international job market.

"This concept is bringing high yields to the country," he said.

The SLFEA initially located at World Trade Centre is situated at its own premises in Colombo 2, saving millions of rupees to the institution.

Abayagoonasekara said they also receive tremendous support from Sri Lankan embassies based overseas and this is very encouraging.