Letter sent by SLBFE Deputy General Manager for Korean
language test forged:
RASIKA SOMARATHNA
COLOMBO: An organised gang has used forged documents with the Sri Lanka
Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) emblem to swindle millions of rupees from
more than 60 people with the promise of lucrative employment and training
opportunities in Japan.
According to sources, these con men had duped prospective applicants with a
forged letter asking them to come for a pre-departure Japanese language course
which runs as a precursor to a three year training stint in Japan.
Armed with the forged letter, the gang had charged Rs. 300,000 from more than
60 prospective applicants, stating that they had been successful in getting the
nod for a three year skills training programme in Japan, intended at preparing
them for future employment opportunities. The SLBFE said they had received
complaints from 32 persons with regard to this, but according to sources the
actual number who have fallen to the trap is expected to be much higher ( more
than 60).
According to sources, investigations into this have been handed over to the
CID. SLBFE Deputy General Manager (training and recruitment), W.M.V. Wansekera
under whose name the forged letter has been released, said the forgers had used
a letter sent by him for a Korean language test to forge the letter, abstracting
the logo and his signature.
According to Wansekera the Japanese language course conducted for chosen
students to follow a skills training programme in Japan is in progress with the
first batch having already completed the language proficiency course.
Another batch for the course conducted under SLBFE supervision would be taken
later, Wansekera said. According to SLBFE sources, personnel to follow the
skills training programme in Japan is recruited through private registered
agencies under the strict supervision of the SLBFE.
The training programme conducted by the JITCO organisation which is
affiliated to the Japanese Government is of high demand in Sri Lanka as this
would pave way for highly paid lucrative employment opportunities in Japan and
elsewhere.
SLBFE Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka yesterday warned all prospective migrants in
search of employment or related avenues, to be vigilant and verify details from
proper authorities before committing themselves.
He said the SLBFE had set up a far reaching mechanism to help prospective
labour migrants with sub-branches in out stations and a general hot line to
cater to information seekers.
The Chairman urged foreign employment seekers to use these facilities and
verify details from authorities before giving money or committing themselves.
SLBFE officials could be reached through their hot line 011-2880500 or
information seekers could use the SLBFE website for details, Ranawaka said.
The Japanese Industrial Training Cooperation (JITCO) has agreed to host Sri
Lankans as trainees in a variety of skills which would lead to future
employment, according to an initiative proposed by Foreign Employment and
Welfare Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella earlier this year.
According to sources under an agreement between the two countries, JITCO is
expected grant training for Lankans every year, mainly in the mechanical and
construction fields.
Ranawaka said even though there is high demand for skilled Lankan labour in
the international market, authorities has had difficulties in meeting the
required numbers due to the dearth of skilled workers in the country.
It is important to build-up a work-force covering all Divisional Secretarial Divisions in Sri Lanka who will be responsible for the promotion development, protection and Welfare of migrant workers.
Despite the fact that women as domestic workers have earned billions of dollars, their employment abroad has created a social degeneration in the country. Therefore, steps have been taken to reduce this category leaving the country to 25 percent in the future, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said
The Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Ministry yesterday announced a National Policy on Labour Migration. The effort is intended at developing a solid framework, with better protocol to enhance labour migrants contributions to the economy, society and their families.
Six thousand Sri Lankans would be found employment in South Korea next year, Chairman, SLBFE Kingsley Ranawaka said. He said that foreign exchange from migrant workers which was around Rs 150 million a few years ago had increased to Rs 350 million a year.
An organised gang has used forged documents with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) emblem to swindle millions of rupees from more than 60 people with the promise of lucrative employment and training opportunities in Japan.
Sri Lanka's ratings in the Korean migrant labour market has shown a rapid increase, improving its ranking from a meagre 13, one year back to a very competitive number three, SLBFE Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka said.
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