Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Athukorala said on Sunday at Kurunegala Maliyadewa Girls’ College auditorium that Sri Lankan skilled an unskilled workers were in great demand, especially in Middle East oil companies.
She said it is essential to train migrant workers before they leave the country. The minister handed over 338 scholarships for migrant workers' children at the meeting.
She said most of the foreign workers were unable to put up their own houses due to financial problems. But yahapalana government will introduce housing loan scheme with low interest rate for the EPF member employees.
She also said most trade unions were not in favour of contract employees since they carry out their duties as permanent employees do.
A programme will be launched to protect migrant workers in the Middle East and elsewhere who provide valuable service to the country, she said.
She said 220,000 men and women were registered in the Foreign Employment Bureau now. Of them, 30,000 employ in foreign countries. "Former government neglected migrant workers' burden. Our aim is to protect them as well as their families. That is why we provide scholarships to their children, she said.
Kurunegala District Parliament member J.C. Alawathuwala, M.P. Nalin Bandara, Deputy Transport Minister Ashok Abesinghe, NWP Governor Amara Piyaseeli Ratnayake were also present.
Foreign Employment Bureau Additional General Manager Rekha Premasiri delivered the welcome speech.
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