Labour Section News – High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore

June 2022

Discussions with MOHH and PWW

Concurrently to the visit of Hon. Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka to Singapore discussions was held with the Director Dr. Liam Yew Kan and Deputy Director Mr. Karman Yuen of Ministry of Health Holdings Singapore in allowing Sri Lankan nurses to undertake the Singapore nursing board examination in Sri Lanka prior to their departure and in organizing a roadshow to Sri Lanka for the Singaporean officials to have a better understanding of the healthcare practices (Training & Clinical Practices) in Sri Lanka.

Consequently, further discussions were held with Dr. David Leong, who is the Managing Director and Chairman of People World Wide Limited (PWW), which is a pioneer in deploying foreign migrant workers in the Marine/ Shipyard and construction sectors in Singapore. PWW conveyed their interest in considering Sri Lanka as a new recruitment source for future employment requirements in these sectors. The Chairman of the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority of Sri Lanka (NAITA), Mr. Nalin Gamlath, was also presented at these discussions.

May 2022

Sri Lanka Migrant Workers Cricket

The first SLMWC Sports kit was officially presented to HE, the High Commissioner, by the Director of Omni Robot and Committee Member of Ceylon Sports Club, Mr. Ravichandran, at the High Commission.

Further discussions were held with the CSC committee in recognizing the SLMWC team as the official women’s cricket team of the Ceylon Sports Club.

Singapore Foreign Employment Agents Forum 2022

Singapore Foreign Employment Agents Forum 2022 organized by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore in collaboration with the Association of Employment Agencies Singapore (AEAS) was held on the 19th of May 2022 at the Ceylon Sports Club auditorium, Singapore.

A total of 58 participants representing 40 foreign employment agencies participated in the event. Her Excellency Sashikala Premarwardhane, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore participated in the event as the Chief Guest. Mrs. K. Jayaprema, President of the AEAS, Mrs. Nanduni Govinnage, First Secretary/ Head of Chancery and Mr. Nipuna Thibbutumunuwa, Counsellor (Employment & Labour Welfare) of the High Commission were also present at the event.

Speaking at the event High Commissioner Sashikala Premawardhane stated that Sri Lanka has a large pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers who are amply qualified for the international job market. The High Commissioner further stated that the Universities of Sri Lanka produce around 20,000 graduates annually and stressed the need for diversifying to different sectors of employment beyond the traditional segments.

While acknowledging the need for diversifying in to skilled and semi-skilled sectors of employment, Mrs. K. Jayaprema, President of the AEAS highlighted the healthy demand that exist for Sri Lankan workers in Singapore.

Mr. Nipuna Thibbutumunuwa, Counsellor (Employment & Labour Welfare) conducted a presentation covering various aspects such as educating Singapore’s foreign employment agents on regulations and policies in recruiting Sri Lankan migrant workers and of the role of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in assisting and guiding foreign employment agents for hassle-free recruitments of Sri Lankans. The idea of organizing a recruitment roadshow in Sri Lanka was also discussed during the forum.

Deployment of Sri Lankan Migrant Workers in Singapore in 2020 and 2021 was adversely affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic, 1074 Sri Lankans have been deployed for employment in Singapore so far in 2022, which exceeds the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment’s forecasted target for 2022 for the Singapore market. The High Commission of Sri Lanka estimates that a total of 2000-3000 Sri Lankan migrant workers can be deployed in Singapore by the end of 2022 as a result of the Missions’ efforts in securing employment opportunities in the healthcare and construction sectors.

2022 Vesak Celebration

2022 Vesak celebration was held at the Sri Lankaramaya Buddhist Temple in collaboration with the Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Association (SSBA) on the 15th of May.

Sri Lankan migrant workers also participated in the “Bhakti Geetha” signing event during the full-day Vesak celebration.

Almsgiving Program

It was an honor to be a part of the almsgiving program for Migrant Workers residing in dormitories organized by the Ministry of Manpower in collaboration with the Maha Karuna Buddhist Society of Singapore concurrently with the 2022 Vesak celebration.

Many thanks to the religious advisor of Maha Karuna Buddhist Society of Singapore, Venerable Dr. Gunarathana Thero, and the Manager of MOM Comms & Dormitory Division, Mr. Victor Ng, for organizing this event.

April 2022

Women’s Sunbirds Cricket League

High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore is delighted to persuade the Migrant Workers Community to participate in the Women’s Sunbirds Cricket League organized by the Singapore Cricket Association. The first practice session was held at the Singapore Indian Association grounds on the 3rd of April, 2022.

Many thanks to the Head Coach of the Singapore Women’s National Team, Mr. C Hamal De Silva, and The Singapore Indian Association for all the assistance conveyed.

March 2022

FAST 2022 Annual Graduation Ceremony

It was a great pleasure to be a part of the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training – FAST 2022 Annual Graduation Ceremony held at the FAST Hub. High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore also congratulates the first 16 Sri Lankan migrant workers who have successfully completed the healthcare career development training program.

The High Commission is looking forward to continue working closely with the FAST Association for the betterment of Sri Lankan migrant workers.

Singapore Zoo Visit

Welfare event organized for the Migrant Workers by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore to visit the Singapore Zoo.

Many thanks to the generous citizens of Singapore and the Hope Initiative Alliance for making this event a success. #Xperience_Singapore #ADEO #SingaporeRediscovers #FAST

Migrant Worker Appreciation

Handing over the appreciation letter to Ms. Dharmawathie Manike for successfully completing 30 years of employment in Singapore under one employer. Our best wishes for her retirement and future endeavours.

Opening Foreign Remittance Bank Accounts for Sri Lankan Migrant Workers

Initiated the pilot project in collaboration with Habib Bank Limited ( www.hbl.com) to open foreign remittance bank accounts (NRFC) for the first 15 Sri Lankan migrant workers in Singapore.

Special thanks to the Asian Regional Manager, Mr. Farhan Thalib, for making this initiative a reality.

February 2022

Welfare Activities

Distribution of dry rations and care packs for the Sri lankan migrant workers community in collaboration with Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Association at Sri Lankaramaya Temple.

Distribution of dry rations and care packs for the Sri lankan migrant workers community in collaboration with Singapore Sinhala Buddhist Association at Sri Lankaramaya Temple.

January 2022

Meeting with the Commissioner of the ICA, Mr. Mavin Sim

Meeting with the Commissioner of the Immigration Control Authority (ICA). Discussed matters related to visa issues faced by the Sri Lankans and the possibility of rendering a work permit for Sri Lankan students who are currently enrolled with Singapore educational institutions.

Meeting with Director Operations of SPF Mr. Lian Ghim Hua

Meeting with Director Operations of SPF Mr. Lian Ghim Hua

Met with the Director Operations of the SPF Mr. Lian Ghim Hua, to discuss future collaborations in providing pre-departure induction programs for Sri Lankans who are intending to arrive in Singapore for long-term stay under work permit and student visas.

Fast Hub Visit

Visit to FAST ( Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training) Club House to exchange ideas with the Sri Lankan domestic workers and to arrange career development training programs for Sri Lankans.

December 2021

Basic First Aid Training MWs

Sri Lankans attending career development training programs arranged by the High Commission in collaboration with FAST.

Sri Lankans attending career development training programs arranged by the High Commission in collaboration with FAST.

Sri Lankans attending career development training programs arranged by the High Commission in collaboration with FAST.