Sri Lanka, South Korea to ink MoU on seasonal workers program

Friday, 21 February 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New agreement will allow Sri Lankan workers to serve up to three terms within a maximum period of three years
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stresses importance of adhering to visa regulations
Warns overstaying will result in reduced quotas for Sri Lankan workers for future opportunities

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Wednesday approved signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with relevant provincial and municipal councils in South Korea, enabling eligible Sri Lankan workers to participate in the country’s seasonal worker program.

The move aims to facilitate legal employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers under South Korea’s E-8 visa category.

The E-8 seasonal worker visa was introduced by the South Korean Government to address labour shortages in the agriculture and fisheries sectors. Under this program, provincial and municipal councils in South Korea are authorised to recruit foreign workers for short-term employment.

“The new agreement will allow Sri Lankan workers to serve under this program for up to three terms within a maximum period of three years,” Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Speaking at the weekly post-Cabinet meeting media briefing, he stressed the importance of workers adhering to visa regulations, warning that previous instances of overstaying had resulted in reduced quotas for Sri Lankan workers.

“If the workers overstay, we will lose not only the E-8 visa, but also the E-9 visa. Always think about the consequences that it will have on your motherland as well,” Dr. Jayatissa said, urging workers to comply with their visa terms to protect future opportunities.

He clarified that no private agency in Sri Lanka is authorised to send workers to South Korea under the E-8 visa system.

The proposal to this effect presented by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

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