Sri Lanka will resume sending workers to South Korea under the E-8 visa category, with the first group scheduled to depart on Tuesday (14).
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra said the programme has been reactivated under new agreements following government intervention, after previous irregular and unlawful arrangements had prevented many from securing employment.
The first batch of 16 youths will travel to South Korea’s Yeongwol region for agricultural sector jobs under a pilot project.
Sri Lankans are currently employed in South Korea under E-9, E-7 and E-8 visa categories.
The selected workers will be engaged in seasonal employment for a period of eight months and are required to return to Sri Lanka upon completion of their contracts.
The Deputy Minister warned that failure to return could jeopardise future employment opportunities for others, adding that efforts are underway to expand job opportunities further.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment and related institutions were also present at the event. (Newswire)