More Jobs for Sri Lankans in South Korea

 

In recent years, South Korea has become an increasingly popular destination for Sri Lankan job seekers. As of December 2024, over 35,000 Sri Lankans were employed in South Korea, with approximately 28,583 working under the Employment Permit System (EPS). This marks a significant increase from previous years, reflecting the strong bilateral ties and mutual benefits of this labor exchange.

E-8 Visa: Gateway to Agricultural Expertise

The E-8 visa is specifically designed for seasonal agricultural and fisheries workers, allowing foreign nationals to work in South Korea for up to five months. This program addresses labor shortages in these critical sectors by inviting skilled workers from abroad. Sri Lankan workers, known for their agricultural expertise, are well-positioned to take advantage of these opportunities.

Competing on a Global Stage: Other Nationalities in the E-8 Program

While Sri Lanka has a notable presence in South Korea's labor market, it is not alone. The E-8 visa program attracts workers from various countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand. These nations have also established agreements with South Korea to supply seasonal agricultural labor, creating a competitive environment for job seekers.

SLBFE: Your Trusted Partner in Overseas Employment

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) plays a pivotal role in facilitating and regulating overseas employment for Sri Lankans. SLBFE Chairman Koshala Wickramasinghe emphasizes that all recruitment for the E-8 visa is exclusively handled by the Bureau. No individual or private agency is authorized to offer E-8 visa jobs. This centralized approach ensures a transparent and fair process, protecting job seekers from potential exploitation.

Beware of Unauthorized Agents: Protecting Job Seekers

Despite the regulated framework, unauthorized agents and intermediaries have attempted to exploit aspiring migrant workers. In fact, South Korea’s E-8 visa program has become a focal point for scams, with fraudulent agents promising jobs for hefty fees. One notable case involved a fraudulent E-8 visa scheme that defrauded seven Sri Lankans of Rs. 7.1 million. This incident highlighted the severity of the issue, which led to a public warning from the SLBFE.

Chairman Wickramasinghe has stressed that unauthorized individuals and agencies are not allowed to handle recruitment, and that job seekers should never pay intermediaries. All recruitment will be conducted through the SLBFE, ensuring that only qualified candidates are selected at minimal cost.

A Troubling History: Corruption in Overseas Employment

Sri Lanka's history of overseas employment has been tainted by allegations of corruption involving politicians. There have been instances where some politicians used the promise of South Korean jobs as leverage to demand bribes from job seekers or foreign investors. Notably, former ministers were accused of demanding bribes from South Korean and Australian investors in return for facilitating employment schemes, leading to abandoned investments and diplomatic tensions. In one such case, South Korean and Australian ambassadors officially filed complaints about these unethical practices, which were reported to Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

These instances of abuse highlight the vulnerability of the system and the urgent need for stronger safeguards to protect workers from exploitation.

Calls for Government Vigilance: Protecting the Vulnerable

Given the troubling history of corruption and ongoing fraudulent activities, it is imperative that the government and SLBFE take extra steps to protect Sri Lankan workers. The SLBFE has been proactive in issuing warnings against scams, but greater vigilance is required to ensure that job seekers are not taken advantage of by unscrupulous agents.

The government must:

Enhance Regulatory Frameworks: Implement stricter regulations to monitor and oversee recruitment processes, ensuring that all agents comply with official procedures.

Promote Awareness Campaigns: Conduct widespread public awareness campaigns to educate potential migrants about the dangers of scams and the importance of only engaging with authorized agencies.

Enforce Legal Actions: Hold both unauthorized agents and corrupt officials accountable for any fraudulent activities or abuse of power.

A Call to Action: Ensuring Ethical Employment Practices

The SLBFE’s role in overseeing Sri Lankan recruitment for South Korean jobs is essential to ensure fairness, transparency, and protection for workers. As South Korea continues to be a valuable source of employment for Sri Lankans, the government’s commitment to cracking down on corruption and scams is more important than ever.

To maintain the integrity of the employment process, Sri Lanka must act swiftly to tighten controls and provide job seekers with all necessary tools to navigate this competitive job market safely and without the risk of exploitation.