12 August 2020 03:10 am
The government is planning to adopt a new economic model to facilitate nearly 40,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers who have lost their jobs because of COVID-19, Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations, Admiral Jayanath Colombage said yesterday.
He told Daily Mirror, the profound economic shock has necessitated the Sri Lankan government to convert the existing import-oriented economy to an export-oriented economy and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed that relief for the vulnerable migrant workers should be prioritised in the government’s long term economic plan.
“The contribution of migrant workers to economic growth and development is very important. Unfortunately, after COVID-19 we lost nearly 40,000 jobs especially in Middle Eastern countries.to minimise the negative impact the pandemic has caused, the new economic model is intended to create jobs for the unemployed Sri Lankans,” Mr. Colombage said.
He said the government has realised that coordinated and concerted efforts were needed to address employment issues of the migrant workers who have been repatriated and who are currently being repatriated. (Piyumi Fonseka)