Government ends political interference in foreign employment: Minister

Colombo, Oct. 27 (Daily Mirror) - The new government has ended the practice of political interference in providing foreign employment and introduced a transparent system to ensure only deserving candidates secure jobs abroad, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said.

He made the remarks today (27) during the launch of a special commemorative first-day cover marking the 40th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The cover was presented to Minister Herath by Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara.

“In the past, ministers, deputy ministers, and private secretaries intervened to provide foreign jobs in exchange for money. Last year, we took steps to stop these irregularities,” the Minister said. “Today, political authorities do not interfere, and the officers are performing their duties with dedication. We are proud of this change.”

He added that more Sri Lankans are being sent to jobs in Israel through the bureau, and any perception of mismanagement is a misunderstanding. “The selection process for Israeli jobs is conducted by the PIB organization on behalf of the Israeli government. There is no political interference in including friends in these lists. We have changed that culture and made the employment system transparent,” he said.

Minister Herath also said that legal action against corruption, noting the recent arrest of a former bureau driver for allegedly taking money to send candidates abroad. He urged the public not to make payments to outsiders and highlighted the introduction of a digital system to track payments for foreign employment.

“The shortcomings of certain agencies, especially in countries like Romania, have been addressed. Legal action has been taken against those charging fees without providing jobs. We are also preparing a new act to strengthen legal mechanisms for the bureau,” he said.

The Minister further spoke on initiatives for Sri Lankans abroad, including granting voting rights, with a special committee already appointed by the Ministry of Public Administration to establish the legal framework. He also announced plans to introduce a contributory pension system for Sri Lankan workers overseas, using funds from the Department of Social Services.