COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (ILO News) - In response to strengthening the socio-economic resilience of the returning migrant workers, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has identified the maritime sector as having the potential to generate ample employment opportunities for returnees and aspirant migrant workers.

Under the Government of Japan funded Socioeconomic Reintegration of Sri Lankan Migrant Workers project, the ILO Country Office Colombo together with its constituent the National Union of Seafarers in Sri Lanka (NUSS) responded with a series of trainings namely, the training course on Maritime and Seamanship conducted by the Mahapola Port and Maritime Academy.

The certificate awarding ceremony witnessed the graduation of 22 trainees with the participation of the His Excellency Mizukoshi Hideaki, the Ambassador of Japan, and Ms Simrin C. Singh, Director ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives. 

The training course facilitated for the trainees enables access to guaranteed international decent work opportunities in a high-demand employment sector. The course also includes technical skills on seamanship and has embedded strong components of occupational safety and health, and psycho-social support.

In continuing its engagement in developing skills in the Sri Lankan maritime sector, the ILO together with NUSS plans on providing training for 15 female gantry crane operators planned to commence in January 2023.