Govt. to recruit 100,000 from Samurdhi families

• Aim to improve income of Samurdhi beneficiaries, but number of families will not be trimmed 
• Employment opportunities to be found from areas of residence 
• Less skilled people to be selected, program to be launched from Jan.

By Nuwan Senarathna

The Government has decide to recruit 100,000 unskilled workers from Samurdhi beneficiary families, Information and Communications Technology, Higher Education, and Technology Innovation Minister Bandula Gunawardena said yesterday, in an effort to reduce poverty and provide jobs for people countrywide.  

Information and Communications Technology, Higher Education, and Technology Innovation Minister Bandula Gunawardena

Speaking to media at the Government Information Department, Gunawardena noted the Government had decided to establish a Multi-Purpose Development Task Force as outlined in President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election manifesto. Cabinet approval for the task force was given earlier this month.  

“The program will recruit people from families that are receiving a Samurdhi allowance of Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 35,000. This will lead the way for an attitudinal change in the country,” Gunawardena said.

According to Gunawardena, under the program unskilled individuals will be selected. He noted the programme will cover the entire country.

“Those who are recruited will fill vacancies that do not require educational qualifications. Measures will be taken to absorb the candidates to sectors such as masonry, carpentry, agriculture, fisheries, forest conservation. They will be trained according to their appointment.”

He noted the program was scheduled to be launch from January next year. Requirement and training will be conducted under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence and the Tri-Forces, Gunawardena said.

The Multi-Purpose Development Task Force will also make its contribution to various other activities such as assisting Government officials to maintain State properties and other civil activities, prevention of diseases including dengue, natural disasters, uplifting rural infrastructure facilities and coast conservation.

Gunawardena also pointed out that President Rajapaksa instructed that the most suitable candidates should be recruited under the Task Force and they should be given employment opportunities within their areas of residence.   

He also noted the President instructed that the recruitment should be done only after visiting the families and gathering correct information on their economic situation.