Negative social perception major drawback in attracting skilled labour: Construction Body

NCASL Chairman S. P. Liyanarachchi with Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Mass Media Gayantha Karunathilaka launching the Mobile app for Constrct 2016

By Devin Jayasundera

With the increasing dearth of labour in the construction industry, the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) called for improving the dignity and the public perception of construction workers as a key step in mitigating the skilled labour shortage. 

 “A skilled labourer in the construction industry can have a starting salary of Rs. 30,000 which is higher than an entry level government servant. A competent painter or a mason can easily earn a salary of Rs. 60,000 – 100,000. Many people are turning away from the industry and opting to pursue foreign employment in places like South Korea. This is because the prevailing negative social attitude of the local construction worker” said NCASL Chairman S.P Liyanarachchi.

In order to change the public perception NCASL has commissioned a mega tele-drama which would highlight the earning potential and the societal-value contribution of construction related professions. 

NCASL CEO Amara Dissanayaka pointed out that “when a person is asked to imagine a construction worker such as a mason or carpenter the picture that comes in to the mind is poor people wearing rags and old clothes. That is the mentality that we have”. Dissanayaka believes that from simple actions such as providing them good uniforms could elevate the dignity of the profession”.

If the labour shortage continues to persist Sri Lanka may have to import construction workers form countries like China and India.  Dissanayaka acknowledged that there is a threat of foreign workers coming in to Sri Lanka and many large contractors are making a strong case as projects are often delayed due to insufficient skilled workers. He added that NCASL does not encourage this position but it will be inevitable if urgent measures are not taken. The government has allocated Rs.500 million from the budget to attract and train to meet the demands of the rapidly growing construction industry. As a part of this program NCASL has undertaken the training of 5000 trainees this year. The trainees are first trained in the classroom for six months and then allocated to construction companies for on the job training. 

Construct 2016 in August

“Construct 2016” is an exhibition organised by the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka which will held from 26 to 28 August at the BMICH. The exhibition will have 350 local and foreign stalls including each sub sector of the construction industry from engineering, piling to insurance companies and landscaping. For the first time a separate pavilion will be allocated to Chinese, Malaysian and Indian suppliers.