In a significant development, Saudi Arabia has emerged as the leading destination for Sri Lankan expatriates seeking employment opportunities, with over 63,000 securing jobs in the Kingdom in 2023.
Annually, a substantial number of Sri Lankan migrant workers, exceeding 200,000, venture abroad in search of employment opportunities, serving as a vital source of foreign exchange for the country, particularly crucial amid its recent severe financial crisis.
P.M. Amza, Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, disclosed that the remittances for 2023 reached an impressive figure of over $7 billion, a substantial portion of which originated from the Kingdom. Speaking to Arab News on Saturday, Amza stated, “During the year 2023, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has become the number one country, generating 63,000 employment opportunities for Sri Lankans.” He highlighted that this influx from the Kingdom constitutes a substantial 15 to 20 percent of the total remittances.
Sri Lankan workers exhibit a preference for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, with Saudi Arabia emerging as the primary choice, especially among skilled professionals engaged in the megaprojects aligned with Vision 2030.
Key factors contributing to Saudi Arabia’s increasing attractiveness for Sri Lankans include the ongoing megaprojects and the implementation of the Skill Verification Program (SVP). The SVP agreement, signed in March, aims to enhance the professional competence of employees in the Saudi labor market. Covering 23 professions, it enables Saudi employers to recognize accreditations issued by Sri Lanka’s Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission.
Amza emphasized the qualitative and quantitative surge in employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in the Kingdom during 2023. While traditionally engaged in the domestic sector, this year witnessed notable growth in Sri Lankan expats working in the construction and hospitality sectors. The SVP agreement played a pivotal role in elevating the skill and professional categories of employment, resulting in nearly 12,000 placements in 2023. Source: Arab News
