Over 100,000 lose jobs, 200,000 skilled workers gain employment due to pandemic

The pandemic resulting in curfew and lockdowns and travel restrictions has caused the loss of over 100,000 jobs of those working in Pettah and other areas selling day to day items and involved in shops and trading.

However in contrast due to import restrictions, local producers in the electronic, assembly and other segments have generated over 200,000 new employment opportunities.

“There are vacancies for over 75,000 more in these segments but we cannot find skilled labour to fill these vacancies,’’ said, President, Colombo Electrical Traders Association (CETA), Dhammika Samarawickrama. (Pictured)

Samarawickrama who is also the Chairman, Micro Electric International said that they have increased their local production but don’t have skilled labour to go even further. “Today due to import restrictions there is an emerging segment of manufactures in various segments to feed the local market but they are unable to get into full gear due to lack of skilled workers.”

He said that these factors were highlighted to senior government officials on many occasions but the progress in producing local skilled workers was very slow. “To aggravate this issue many skilled workers are now moving to the gulf as there is a huge demand for them.”

He also said that one reason for this issue is that youth prefer to purchase a three wheeler and start their own business and it is high time that the government comes up with a scheme to ban youth under the age of 35 driving and owning three wheelers. Samarawickrama said that if these areas are not addressed soon the end result would be that Sri Lanka would have to hire skilled workers from China and SAARC countries having to pay for them in US Dollars. (SS)