Sri Lanka's Foreign Employment Surge: Ambitious Plans for 2025 Amid Economic Recovery

 

Colombo, Sri Lanka – February 10, 2025 – Following the severe economic crisis of 2022, Sri Lanka has witnessed a notable increase in its workforce seeking employment opportunities overseas. In a strategic move to bolster the national economy and enhance foreign remittances, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has unveiled ambitious targets for 2025. The nation anticipates approximately 340,000 Sri Lankans will migrate for work abroad, with an expected generation of USD 7 billion in foreign revenue.

Increasing Overseas Employment Post-Crisis

The economic collapse in 2022 triggered widespread job losses, escalating inflation, and a surge in migration as Sri Lankans sought more promising prospects internationally. Data from the SLBFE indicates that around 314,000 Sri Lankans secured foreign employment in 2024, collectively contributing USD 6.51 billion in remittances.

In a significant policy shift, the SLBFE aims to elevate the proportion of professional workers among its foreign employment placements. In 2024, professionals accounted for 65% of Sri Lankan migrant workers, while 35% were in lower-skilled roles. The 2025 objective is to increase the percentage of professionals to 75%, concurrently reducing lower-skilled job placements to 25%.

2025 Employment Plans: Key Destinations & Figures

To achieve its foreign revenue target, the SLBFE has outlined specific employment destinations and quotas for 2025:

Middle Eastern Markets:

• Kuwait: 84,000 workers

• United Arab Emirates (UAE): 55,000 workers

• Saudi Arabia: 52,000 workers

Asia-Pacific & Other Regions:

• Israel: 15,900 workers

• Japan: 9,000 workers

• South Korea: 8,000 workers

Challenges & Road Ahead

While these projections indicate a positive trajectory, significant efforts are required to ensure the comprehensive success of Sri Lanka’s foreign employment strategy. Key challenges include:

• Upskilling Workforce: Achieving a higher proportion of professional placements necessitates robust vocational training and certification programs.

• Worker Protection: Ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and accessible legal support for migrant workers remains paramount.

• Expanding Job Markets: Negotiating more direct employment agreements with developed nations is crucial to diversify and enhance opportunities.

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• Primary: Sri Lanka Foreign Employment, SLBFE, Economic Recovery, Foreign Remittances, Overseas Jobs, Migrant Workers, Professional Employment

• Secondary: 2025 Targets, Kuwait, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Workforce Upskilling, Worker Protection, Job Market Expansion, Post-Crisis Migration, Economic Stabilization.

Source - https://www.lankanewsline.com