Construction companies seek to bring down 7,500 labour force from foreign countries

  Claiming that there is an acute shortage in labour force in the construction industry, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Kumudu Lal Bogahawatta said yesterday leading construction companies had sought permission from the Ministry to bring down some 7,500 labour force from foreign countries.

He told a news conference that according to a survey, it has been revealed that some 10,000 vacancies exist in the construction industry right now.

Bogahawatta said leading construction companies are expecting to bring down the labour force from India, Bangladesh and Nepal and that some workers had already arrived.

He said the Ministry does not expect to stop it by imposing laws and said that steps have been taken to train local youth to meet the requirement outperforming the foreign labourers.

He said the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) has taken steps to elevate Sri Lanka labour force to a professional level by giving them technical knowledge with NVQ certification so that local labourers could even migrate as skilled labourers.

Bogahawatta said the Ministry is planning to ensure job safety, fixed income and a promising future for construction employees to encourage more youth to attract the construction industry.

He said Sri Lanka would need 20,000 labour force for the construction industry for 2026.