Govt. to address construction labour shortages

The Government is looking to resolve the labour shortage issue faced by the construction industry, Minister of Skills Development and Vocational Training Chandima Weerakkody revealed.

Speaking at a media conference announcing the upcoming Construction Exhibition 2017 organised by the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL), the Minister said that even though it is rarely acknowledged publicly, industry leaders have privately informed him that they import labour to meet the prevailing shortage.

“Though no one has indicated it in public, a lot of those involved in the industry tell me personally that they import labour. On the other hand, unemployment is a huge issue in Sri Lanka. We have started the drive to resolve this issue,” he said.

“I believe we should sit together and ascertain the issues that you are faced with in relation to skilled labour,” he added.

NCASL Board Member/CEO Amara Dissanayake said that though the association does not endorse importing labour, it may have to resort to it in the short term.

“As far as our association is concerned, we do not consider importing labour as a solution to this, but for the short term you may have to do it because there is no other alternative - because of the construction boom that will come into effect over the next couple of years,” he said.

However, Dissanayake was appreciative of the Government’s efforts to identify and train school-leavers and other youth to work in the industry, making special reference to the Rs. 50 million allocated for the purpose.

Dissanayake also called for a change in mindset, lamenting that a perception that working in construction is somehow beneath them has resulted in young people moving away from the industry, with them even preferring to work as an office assistant in a government department for a salary of Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 in some cases when they could be easily making Rs. 60,000-Rs. 80,000 by working in the construction industry.

“As an association we’re not in favour of importing labour into this country because we have our own people here, unemployed youth. But we have to devise ways and means to attract them, which is not an easy thing to do,” he said.

Asked about the hardships faced by the industry due to the increase in VAT and other taxes, Dissanayake said the policies of the Government needed to be accepted, especially taking into account the ongoing economic woes of the country.

“It’s true that it’s a little added burden. But when you consider the state of the country, one has to sacrifice. Everyone has to sacrifice. Everyone says reduce this, reduce that but then one has to wonder how can this country prosper,” said Dissanayake.

“Even the Government has said that it’s only for a short time that they propose to have these higher taxes. When the country picks up economically, they’ll probably change their strategy,” he added.