By: Staff Writer
July 22, Colombo (LNW): Romania is set to regulate foreign employment opportunities for Sri Lankans as it had opened 100,000 foreign jobs earlier in the year.
Sri Lanka and Rumania foreign ministers identified key areas for bilateral cooperation, including ports, shipping, logistics, cyber security, education, ICT, anti-corruption initiatives, disaster risk reduction, and civil protection.
They emphasized the importance of regulating foreign employment opportunities for Sri Lankans in Romania, discussing avenues for establishing a government-to-government mechanism for sending semi-skilled and skilled workers to Romania
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry concluded an official visit to Romania from July 15–18, 2024, at the invitation of Romania’s Foreign Minister, Luminiţa Odobescu. Their bilateral talks marked a significant milestone in the longstanding relations between the two countries and aimed to further enhance the partnership, particularly in the context of Romania’s EU membership.
Minister Sabry highlighted Sri Lanka’s recent developments, focusing on economic stabilization and growth, and the progress made in ongoing reconciliation efforts. Foreign Minister Odobescu discussed Romania’s development drive and the potential for mutually beneficial engagement with third countries.
In the global context, they exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues such as climate change, energy security, and reforms to the international financial architecture. The Sri Lankan delegation included Ambassador Madurika Joseph Weninger, Director General Europe of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shobini Gunasekera, and other ministry and embassy officials.
Separately, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara met with Romanian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dr. Victor Chiujdea to discuss new employment opportunities in Romania for Sri Lankans some times back.
They had an extensive discussion on the provision of employment opportunities, with the Romanian Ambassador noting that Romania had opened 100,000 foreign jobs earlier in the year.
The Ambassador stated that the Romanian government would not directly intervene in providing these opportunities, which would be managed by private employment agencies. He mentioned that Romania had opened jobs in the construction, IT, and tourism sectors.
Minister Nanayakkara requested the Romanian Ambassador’s assistance in securing more employment opportunities for Sri Lankans, particularly in education.
They discussed the possibility of collaborating with the Romanian Employment Agencies Association to facilitate these opportunities.
The Minister also emphasized the need to regulate fees charged for sending workers to Romanian jobs and assured that strict legal action would be taken against groups trafficking workers under false pretenses.
Currently, about 2,500 Sri Lankan workers are employed in Romania. Discussions are underway to appoint a permanent consul to support these workers, as stated by Minister Nanayakkara.
