Sri Lankan Workers’ Jobs in South Korea Remain Safe, says SLBFE

• Currently, a total of Sri 35,216 Sri Lankans work in South Korea and 28,583 are listed under the EPS system

By Leenah Wahab  

 In the wake of reports that Sri Lanka’s seasonal job allocation may be under review, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) clarified that there are no anticipated job losses for seasonal workers yesterday.   
Media Spokesperson for the SLBFE, Gamini Senarath said that there is no legal MoU with South korea, and that Sri Lanka is currently not registering new workers under the E8 seasonal employment visa, which covers temporarily agricultural work.  

 “For a legal MoU, the relevant ministry, attorney general and cabinet must be consulted; but this procedure has not been met. The government is actively engaging with South Korean authorities to reinforce its commitment to the EPS system that has been in operation with South Korea since 2004,” he said.   

Currently, a total of Sri 35,216 Sri Lankans work in South Korea and 28,583 are listed under the EPS system.   
“Under the EPS system, employees receive work permits for a fixed term, which is typically up to four years and ten months. Last year, we sent workers under the E7 category, like welders for shipbuilding, and E9 visa category,” he said.