Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka have signed a new agreement on the employment of workers, which is expected to open up more opportunities in the Kingdom for professionals from the crisis-hit island nation. The Skill Verification Program aims to enhance the professional competence of employees in the Saudi labor market and ease the recruitment process of skilled workers from Sri Lanka. The agreement, which covers 23 professions, including electricians and auto mechanics, was signed by Sri Lanka\u2019s Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission and Saudi Arabia\u2019s Takamol, which operates under the Kingdom\u2019s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the signing ceremony in Colombo, TVEC Director Dr. Lalithadheera K. Arachchige said, \u201cThis is good news to all Sri Lankans. Their skills can be officially identified by the concerned Saudi authorities to provide them with suitable jobs.\u201d The deal is expected to give a boost to Sri Lanka\u2019s manpower exports to the Kingdom. Saudi Ambassador Khalid Hamoud Nasser Al-Dasam stated that \u201cUnder Vision 2030 of the Kingdom, Saudi Arabia needs a variety of skilled workers who would fit into various projects. This is going to be a major development in the annals of Saudi-Lanka bilateral relations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sri Lanka is facing its worst financial crisis since gaining independence in 1948 and has been seeking foreign employment opportunities for its professionals. The country is in desperate need of foreign currency, and the deal is expected to provide a much-needed boost. Many professionals from the South Asian country are currently working in Saudi Arabia without recognition of their professional certification, often enrolled in jobs below their skills. However, under the skill verification deal, Saudi employers will recognize certificates issued by Sri Lanka\u2019s TVEC. Sri Lanka\u2019s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Pakeer Mohideen Amza, said that \u201cIt will give them due recognition and due salary and due position. It\u2019s a long-felt need, and it\u2019s going parallel to the objective of Sri Lanka to shift from quantitative employment to qualitative employment. This really will help to increase our foreign remittances.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 150,000 Sri Lankan expats are employed in Saudi Arabia, and approximately 70 percent of them are unskilled. The Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies has welcomed the latest development, as Saudi Arabia is the job market with the most potential for Sri Lankans. ALFEA Secretary Mohamed Farook Mohamed Arshad said that \u201cThe Skill Verification Program is very useful for that. We can market our skilled laborers to Saudi Arabia when this is implemented.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regenerate response<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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