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The number of job openings for Sri Lankan’s in Malta, Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, Serbia and Albania has been increasing in the last few months.
Information Technology (IT) Professionals: Sri Lankans with expertise in software development, programming, and IT-related fields may find employment opportunities in Eastern European countries where there is a growing demand for skilled IT professionals.
Healthcare Workers: Healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and medical technicians may be employed in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities across Eastern Europe to address shortages in certain healthcare sectors.
Engineers: Engineers with backgrounds in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and other related fields may find job opportunities in construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects in Eastern European countries.
Hospitality and Tourism: Sri Lankans may work in the hospitality and tourism industry, including jobs in hotels, restaurants, resorts, and travel agencies, particularly in popular tourist destinations within Eastern Europe.
Education and Teaching: Sri Lankans with teaching qualifications and English language proficiency may work as language teachers, tutors, or instructors in language schools, international schools, or educational institutions catering to expatriate communities.
Customer Service and Call Centers: Many multinational companies have customer service centers and call centers in Eastern European countries, offering employment opportunities for Sri Lankans fluent in English or other relevant languages.
Construction and Skilled Trades: Sri Lankans with skills in construction, carpentry, plumbing, and other skilled trades may find employment in the construction industry, which is often booming in Eastern European countries undergoing infrastructure development.
Administration and Office Support: Sri Lankans may work in administrative roles, such as office assistants, secretaries, administrative clerks, and data entry operators, in various industries and organizations across Eastern Europe.
Retail and Sales: Some Sri Lankans may work in retail stores, supermarkets, and sales positions, providing customer service, managing inventory, and promoting products in Eastern European markets.
Agriculture and Farming: In rural areas of Eastern European countries, there may be opportunities for Sri Lankans to work in agriculture, farming, and horticulture, particularly in seasonal or manual labour roles.
A key obstacle in gaining access to the Eastern European job market has been difficulty to obtain visas to these countries
The embassies of most Eastern European are not located in Sri Lanka.
Mohamed Farook Mohamed Arshad, Secretary of the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies, said that Sri Lankans applying for those jobs have had to visit such countries’ embassies in India and stay there for almost two weeks to complete the relevant process.
“It costs around Rs. 300,000 to visit India and come back.” Said Mohamed Farook Mohamed Arshad.
The Association has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on many occasions to take steps to intervene to establish embassies of such countries or VFS centres (a globally-recognised intermediary for visa-related processes) considering the well-being of the job seekers and foreign employment agencies. However meaningful steps to resolve the matter are yet to be taken.
