Sri Lanka is making all efforts to impart training conforming to international standards to job aspirants to familiarize themselves with the culture and work environment in the Saudi Arabia, Sri Lankan Minister for Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Dilan Perera said.

Dilan Perera was received in Jeddah by senior officials from the Saudi labor ministry, besides Sri Lankan diplomats on Tuesday. He called on Jeddah Governor Price Mishaal bin Majed on Wednesday prior to returning home.

The Sri Lankan minster said that in the past three months, 10,000 candidates were trained in NVQ 3 level, which is internationally accredited, in the house-keeping field including domestic helpers. Sri Lanka introduced the training program to enhance professionalism and quality standards in jobs taken up by its nationals abroad, he said.

The minister also invited Saudi recruitment companies to Sri Lanka to collaborate with the government to conduct training that suits Saudi requirements. The island nation is providing training to construction workers who intend to work in Singapore, according to their standards, which is similar to standards prevailing in Saudi Arabia, he said.

Dilan Perara said that Sri Lanka had decided that no Sri Lankan woman who is less than 25-years-old will leave the country for employment. Besides, every domestic worker will have an international standard contract backed by both governments, he said, adding: “Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia will soon constitute technical expert committees to study and finalize employment contract format.”

He said the contract will protect the interest of both employees and employers, and the labor contract would address concerns of both the parties.

Regarding the issue of minimum salary, Dilan Perara said: “We have not placed any conditions for minimum salary, since this will be based on demand and supply position in the Kingdom, which incidentally, is the largest free market economy in the Middle East region.” - Arab News