Monday Oct 28, 2024
FT
Monday Oct 28, 2024
Monday, 28 October 2024 03:34 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Former Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara
Former Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara raised concerns about the potential loss of thousands of South Korean E8 visa category jobs for Sri Lankan workers.
He attributed this threat to inefficiencies within the Foreign Employment Bureau (FEB) and the current Government, which he claims are jeopardising hard-won employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in South Korea.
During a meeting in Galle, Nanayakkara described the extensive effort that went into securing E8 visa jobs for Sri Lankan citizens. He said this visa category is typically reserved for seasonal employment, and was initially only open to a select group of countries.
However, Nanayakkara, as Minister, said he personally negotiated with South Korean officials to secure it for Sri Lanka. “I met with numerous Korean mayors, governors, and ministers, and even the Immigration and Labour Ministers, to explain our country’s need for these jobs,” he claimed.
He further elaborated on the collaborative efforts between the South Korean and Sri Lankan authorities, despite legal hurdles.
“According to South Korean law, agreements for these seasonal jobs must be made directly with municipalities, which presented a challenge as Sri Lankan City or Provincial Councils are not legally permitted to enter into international agreements under the country’s 13th Amendment. However, a workaround was found: the FEB and licensed private agencies facilitated the process, and South Korean officials eventually granted Sri Lanka a share of these job quotas. A large number of visas for positions in fisheries, agriculture, and other sectors were approved,” he said.
Nanayakkara claimed that, despite these gains, several officials delayed implementing the program just weeks before the last election, causing a halt. “This program could still be salvaged and create thousands of jobs, but due to bureaucratic negligence, we are at risk of losing them,” he warned.
Nanayakkara also criticised recent reports claiming the E8 visa is ‘illegal’, calling this a ‘criminal act’ aimed at misleading the public. He clarified that official circulars had been issued and training institutes identified, with the necessary groundwork already laid.
Appealing to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Nanayakkara urged the Government not to let these seasonal job opportunities slip away, as it would not only damage ties with South Korean municipalities but also jeopardise relations with the South Korean Government.
“This isn’t about politics or favouritism; it’s about giving every eligible Sri Lankan the chance to secure a better future,” he said, adding that failing to secure these opportunities might lead South Korea to reconsider its agreements with Sri Lanka.
