The Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Employment and Labour, Manusha Nanayakkara, announced that the Malaysian government has allocated an additional quota of 10,000 jobs in the security services industry for Sri Lankan nationals. This is in addition to the existing quota of 10,000 employment opportunities already allocated for Sri Lanka. The Minister made this announcement while attending an awards ceremony in Colombo on March 14.
According to Minister Nanayakkara, the new quota of employment opportunities was approved by the Malaysian Cabinet, with the potential for it to be increased up to 100,000 jobs. These employment opportunities have been secured under a Government-to-Government agreement.
The Sri Lankan government has set a target of securing US$1 million through foreign remittances via foreign employment. To achieve this target, a record number of migrant workers will have to be dispatched, and it will be the responsibility of recruitment agencies to facilitate their recruitment. The Sri Lankan government will take responsibility for the welfare of those travelling overseas for employment.
Furthermore, the Foreign Employment Act has been amended to include the welfare of Sri Lankan migrant workers and to remove those who are involved in violations of foreign employment.
The allocation of these job opportunities in the security services industry is a positive development for Sri Lanka, as it offers job opportunities for Sri Lankan nationals and has the potential to significantly boost the country’s foreign remittances. The Sri Lankan government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of its migrant workers is also commendable.
