The Bureau of Foreign Employment reported on Monday that at least 300,000 Sri Lankans will depart their crisis-stricken nation for jobs abroad this year, with the majority of them opting to work in Gulf nations.
Since the beginning of the year, more than 152,000 Sri Lankan employees have left the nation, with over 112,000 of them heading to the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia was the most popular destination, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE for these individuals.
“We expect the total departures for 2023 will reach 300,000,” Gamini Senarath Yapa, deputy general manager of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, told Arab News.
The Middle East is their preferred destination due to traditional labor links and high salary packages, which make the region a major source of remittances.
“Most of our agents are targeting the Middle Eastern market,” Yapa said. “There is easy access and also availability of jobs because they need people to develop their economy.”
The country, which has been engulfed in its worst financial crisis since last year, relies heavily on remittances from expatriate workers.
Given that Sri Lankans have already sent home $2.3 billion as of May, this year's inflows are anticipated to surpass last year's $3.8 billion total.
But it is not only dollars that make their stay abroad important. It is also the know-how they acquire.
“They are not only bringing the currency but experience as well,” Yapa said. “That definitely gives support to our economy as they are coming back with a lot of knowledge.”
Since the beginning of the year, more than 152,000 Sri Lankan employees have left the nation, with over 112,000 of them heading to the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia was the most popular destination, followed by Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE for these individuals.
“We expect the total departures for 2023 will reach 300,000,” Gamini Senarath Yapa, deputy general manager of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, told Arab News.
The Middle East is their preferred destination due to traditional labor links and high salary packages, which make the region a major source of remittances.
“Most of our agents are targeting the Middle Eastern market,” Yapa said. “There is easy access and also availability of jobs because they need people to develop their economy.”
The country, which has been engulfed in its worst financial crisis since last year, relies heavily on remittances from expatriate workers.
Given that Sri Lankans have already sent home $2.3 billion as of May, this year's inflows are anticipated to surpass last year's $3.8 billion total.
But it is not only dollars that make their stay abroad important. It is also the know-how they acquire.
“They are not only bringing the currency but experience as well,” Yapa said. “That definitely gives support to our economy as they are coming back with a lot of knowledge.”
