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Wednesday, 19 June 2013 01:53 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Ashwin Hemmathagama
Our Lobby Correspondent
Over 26,000 Sri Lankan work visas have been issued to Chinese nationals over the last seven years to meet the demand for skilled labour, the Government revealed in Parliament yesterday, as ties between the two countries continue to burgeon.
Responding to a question posed by UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake who highlighted growing unemployment in the country, Minister of Water Supply and Drainage and Chief Government Whip Dinesh Gunawardena said the growing number of construction related projects under the Board of Investment and the shortage of skilled workers in the country had prompted the Government to issue work permits to Chinese workmen.
Minister Gunaw-ardena, who informed the House that 26,404 visas had been issued to Chinese workers, added that the number of visas issues had increased from 1,517 in 2005 to 5,588 in 2011.
“Based on requests of the respective companies, visas are recommended for expatriates to be employed by the BoI companies based on the non-availability of required technical skills or expertise within the country. The only loss of revenue to us would be their salaries, which are repatriated back to China,” clarified Minister Gunawardena.
Karunanayake insisted that Sri Lankan migrant workers who “struggle in the Middle East” should be the first option against Chinese personnel when such vacancies arise for domestic projects.
“We take loans from the Chinese and then again employ their people also. We repay the loan and also the salaries for their workers. Not only blue collar jobs but white collar jobs are also scarce in Sri Lanka. Many educated people are in search of opportunities. China is not a part of our country. We should keep that in mind when providing employment,” the UNP MP said.
