Saudi Arabia to open caregiving sector for Sri Lankans

The mega recruiting companies in Saudi Arabia such as‘Tamakeen’who are specialized in caregiving and nursing sectors have agreed to recruit Sri Lankan caregivers to be employed there, Charge d'Affairs of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh Madhuka Wickramarachchi said.

The agreement was reached following a lengthy discussion and presentation made by the Embassy of Sri Lanka with the Tamkeen management to recruit Sri Lankan caregivers under their pilot program.

Mr. Wickramarachchi said the caregiver sector was still a largely untapped manpower sector for Sri Lankan migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and added that greater demand (pull factor) has been created for this category during the COVID-19 period.

“The SLBFE and the recruiting agencies are focusing on expanding this sector in Israel, with a sizable number of Sri Lankan caregivers, are already being employed in Israel. A caregiver training course or nursing course which is recognized by the Sri Lankan authorities with applicable NVQ levels (3 to 6) could benefit from these opportunities,” he said.

He said even though a sizable amount of Sri Lankan Female Domestic Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia were employed as caregivers for the elderly, they have not been formally recognized under this sector.

“They earn a general FMDW salary of Saudi Riyal 1125 (SLR 55,000).. With due recognition and training Sri Lankan migrant workers have the potential to earn a higher salary and stable employment in a diverse array of settings such as Domestic, private nursing homes and hospitals,” he said.

He said Saudi Arabia’s caregiving and nursing sectors were dominated by Filipinos and Indians and added that technical and social barriers have been an obstacle for Sri Lankans to be recruited as Caregivers and Nurses to the GCC region.